00:00The war between the United States and Iran enters a new phase.
00:03After months of clashes, President Donald Trump announced an economic offensive
00:07with which it seeks to increase pressure on Tehran and cut off its main sources
00:11of his government's funding. Trump warned that the United States will pursue not only the
00:16Iran's commercial operations, but also to countries, companies and financial entities
00:20that contribute to maintaining them. The goal is to disrupt the oil trade,
00:25Money transfers and other mechanisms allow the Iranian economy to continue
00:29It's working. But this strategy also puts the main players in a difficult position.
00:33Iran's trading partners. One of them is China, currently its largest oil buyer
00:38Iranian. Beijing has already been subject to US sanctions for importing crude oil from that country.
00:43But increased pressure could generate new tensions between the two largest economies.
00:48of the world. The challenge for Washington is that any measure against China could have
00:53consequences that go far beyond the relationship with Iran, especially at a time
00:57in which both governments seek to keep their trade and diplomatic channels open.
01:02Another relevant actor is the United Arab Emirates. Before the war, the country was one of the
01:07Iran's main trading partners, and Dubai in particular, functioned as a
01:11important center for financial and commercial operations linked to Iranian companies.
01:17However, the Emirates announced this week the suspension of its trade exchanges
01:21and financial transactions with Tehran after denouncing Iranian attacks against shipping.
01:26maritime, an accusation that Iran denies. The pressure also extends to Oman, although
01:30for a different reason. The country maintains a close relationship with Tehran and during
01:35For years it has played a mediating role between Iran and the United States. Any escalation
01:40This could jeopardize that role. Furthermore, it lies off the coasts of Iran and Oman.
01:44The Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important strategic routes for energy trade
01:49world. About a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied gas normally passes through there.
01:54that is traded globally. Therefore, Trump's so-called economic war not only
01:58While seeking to weaken Iran, it is also increasing pressure on countries that maintain
02:03trade ties with Tehran force them to make decisions that could have consequences
02:08economic and geopolitical factors. Washington's strategy now raises a central question.
02:13Will economic pressure bring Iran to the negotiating table or will it ultimately lead to further conflict?
02:18tensions towards its main trading partners and towards the entire region?
