Trump shifts Iran strategy to economic sanctions as military option stalls

The Trump administration has shifted strategy against Iran from military action to economic pressure, announcing sanctions on approximately 60 Iranian entities, individuals, and ships on Monday, a move Tehran condemned as "economic terrorism." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new sanctions as the U.S. remains stuck in a stalemate six months after beginning military operations, with neither victory nor withdrawal. President Trump claimed Iran is "completely collapsing" and previously promised an economic "D-Day," urging allies to join him. Trump warned that any country providing financial, business, or governmental support to Iran would face severe secondary sanctions, targeting parallel networks that enable Iranian oil exports. The strategy echoes previous U.S. administrations' approaches amid concerns over depleted sophisticated missile stockpiles.