US Treasury Secretary Announces Start of Sweeping Financial Push Against Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington is entering what he called the "final phase" of its confrontation with Iran, launching a broad economic offensive he described as the most extensive financial operation ever directed against an adversary. The statement was made both on the social platform X and in an article for the Financial Times, which was also cited by CNN.

According to Bessent, the goal is to sever all economic ties sustaining Iran's ruling regime until the country is left in complete isolation. He stressed that the world needs to understand that Washington's aim is to cut off any external support enabling Tehran to continue its current course.

Warning Against Military Retaliation

Bessent also warned that if Iran were to respond to the economic measures with military action, US President Donald Trump would react quickly and decisively. His remarks echo statements Trump made last week, when he also threatened Iran with an "economic D-Day," promising "massive economic sanctions" against countries doing business with Tehran.

The United States is seeking to intensify economic pressure in order to push Tehran back to the negotiating table. According to CNN, Bessent plans to hold a press conference on the matter on Monday afternoon local time, which corresponds to early morning in Kyiv.

Three days earlier, Bessent had already stated that the United States would impose the "toughest sanctions in history" on Iran, explaining that such a step would reduce the need for new large-scale military operations.