The president did not specify what actions he would take, and he has on other occasions abandoned threats to dramatically escalate the war with Iran. US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened "tremendous" punishment on any country that helps or does business with Iran, an economic pressure campaign that comes as the war in the Middle East nears its sixth month. Key points and original sources are listed below.

• The president did not specify what actions he would take, and he has on other occasions abandoned threats to dramatically escalate the war with Iran.S1

• US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened "tremendous" punishment on any country that helps or does business with Iran, an economic pressure campaign that comes as the war in the Middle East nears its sixth month.S2

• The warning signals a possible expansion of Washington’s pressure campaign against Tehran beyond direct measures targeting Iran itselfS3