US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced a major economic offensive against Iran. He said Washington was entering an “economic D-Day” against Tehran. Bessent linked the planned campaign to the Trump administration’s actions against Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities. He said the United States would now intensify economic pressure on the Iranian government.
“President (Donald) Trump has dismantled Iran’s military capabilities, destroyed nearly 100 percent of its military factories, and buried its nuclear program,” Bessent said in a post on the US social media platform X.
“We are now entering the endgame. At dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary.”
Washington Plans Wider Economic Pressure
Bessent said the US administration would use every available resource to isolate Iran economically. He also said Washington aimed to reduce financial support for the Iranian government.
According to Bessent, the administration planned to use multiple government agencies and legal authorities. However, he did not identify the specific measures Washington would introduce.
The announcement signals a possible expansion of US economic pressure on Tehran. It also comes after the Trump administration claimed major strikes against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.
Bessent said the United States wanted to target the financial networks supporting Iran. He described these networks as economic lifelines for the Iranian government.
“Until Iran Stands Alone”
“The President has created the conditions to leverage every agency, every authority and action many assumed we would never summon. Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” he said.
Bessent also issued a warning to governments and other actors that challenge Washington’s Iran policy. He said they should not assume the United States would avoid imposing economic costs.
“The Islamic Republic has subsisted by dressing extortion as security guarantees. It has drawn strength from a calculus that regards Iranian retaliation as certain and American enforcement as negotiable. Under President Trump, that era is over. And those who fear the danger of defying Tehran ought not to discount the cost of testing Washington,” he said.
His remarks suggest that Washington could target entities beyond Iran itself. However, the Treasury secretary did not reveal which countries, organisations or financial networks could face action.
Details of Economic Offensive Remain Unclear
Bessent provided no details about the measures planned under the proposed economic campaign. He also did not identify the US agencies that would lead the effort. The lack of specific details leaves the scope of the planned offensive uncertain. Nevertheless, his statement indicates that Washington intends to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
The announcement could have wider implications for governments and businesses dealing with Iran. Any new measures could also affect financial transactions and economic links involving the country.
For now, Bessent’s statement establishes the administration’s intention to pursue stronger economic isolation. The details of that strategy will depend on the measures Washington introduces in the coming days.
