Iran Vows ‘Devastating’ Response to Trump’s ‘Economic Warfare’ Threat, Including Cyberattacks

Iran threatened a “devastating” response to President Donald Trump’s vow of an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” attack after announcing “the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY.”

The chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, said that Iran was ready to retaliate against the U.S.’s economic warfare with military force and continued cyberattacks.

“With preparedness across land, sea, air, air defense and cyberspace, Iran’s armed forces will respond to the enemy’s new threats with crushing, punishing and devastating responses,” Abdollahi said Friday, according to Iranian state media.

Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer spoke to chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt on Friday for the latest update on the war and more details on Trump’s economic threats.

“We’re told that many Iranians are struggling to afford groceries as the Trump administration continues to go after the country’s economy. This is the next step. Jonathan Hunt knows it well, live in Tel Aviv, to bring us the latest from today. Jonathan?” Hemmer began.

“Good morning to you, Bill. We are in the early stages, of course, of what President Trump has termed ‘economic warfare’ against Iran — the next, more draconian stage, due to be detailed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday,” Hunt reported, adding:

But any sanctions program isn’t going to be easy to enforce. When you look at the number of land borders, for instance, Iran shares — seven different countries have land borders with the Islamic Republic. And to the north there, look at the Caspian Sea — that gives Iran direct access to Russia. There’s also direct access to China via a land route through Afghanistan. Neither of those countries, according to General Jack Keane, is going to be very willing to take part in any sanctions program. Listen here.

“Certainly, Russia and China have a vested interest in the United States not succeeding in the war against Iran. They want to keep their foothold in the Middle East, and that’s Iran. And that is why they’re helping them,” Keane said in a clip from earlier in the day.

“Now, there is widespread acknowledgment, though, that the economic pressure is beginning to bite. Prices are going up, availability of goods is going down, and even some within the Iranian leadership are now talking about a change in approach,” Hunt added, concluding:

President [Masoud] Pezeshkian saying today, for instance, quote: “It is better to end the war today when we are in power and dignity, and the whole world acknowledges our victory,” and emphasizes that “America, contrary to all regulations, attacked our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, and is hated in the world.”

To my recollection, Bill, that is the first time we have heard a senior Iranian official use the words “end the war today.” But as I say, he is on the more moderate wing. For the moment, at least, the more hardline wing within the IRGC seems to have the upper hand. We’ll see if that changes with this renewed economic pressure, Bill.

Watch the clip above via Fox News.

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