Iran calls Trump's economic D-Day a diversion from US debt crisis

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the "most crushing economic operation ever" against Iran, threatening consequences for any country providing economic lifelines. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the threat as a diversion from America's debt crisis, saying failed policies would bring further defeat. The announcement follows months of war, a naval blockade, and a closed Strait of Hormuz. China, Turkey, and others oppose the sanctions, while Qatar and Oman push for de-escalation. The USS George Washington replaced the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region. Analysts doubt the effectiveness of further sanctions given Iran's experience in circumventing them and the risk of retaliation from major trading partners.