Trump Vows Crushing Economic Operation to Collapse Iranian Regime

President Donald Trump announced plans to launch what he called "the most crushing economic operation" against Iran, aiming to collapse the Iranian regime. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced this position on August 21, 2026, asserting that Washington would impose the strictest sanctions in history to achieve the regime's collapse and urging Beijing to cooperate with the strategy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China rejected these efforts, with spokesperson Lin Jian stating that sanctions and pressure would not resolve the issue. China characterized the unilateral sanctions as illegal, arguing they lack a basis in international law and authorization from the UN Security Council. Beijing urged all involved parties to seek solutions through political and diplomatic dialogue rather than economic pressure, which it claims only increases tensions.

The Iranian government responded to the U.S. campaign by branding the economic pressure as "economic terrorism."