US launches new operation to economically isolate Iran and its allies
Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary (photo: Getty Images)
The United States launched a new operation the day before aimed at weakening the Iranian regime and its allies. The operation is called Economic Outcast, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, according to the US Treasury Department.
As Bessent explained, the operation involves expanding secondary sanctions against organizations and countries that cooperate with Tehran.
Moreover, the United States is imposing restrictions on several key sectors of Iran's economy, including:
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Digital assets;
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The gold market;
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Aviation;
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The technology sector;
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Shipping.
The US Treasury Secretary clarified that Washington plans to block all major sources of funding for the Iranian regime until Tehran is left without economic support.
According to Bessent, his team has already identified the intermediaries and networks through which Iran has circumvented sanctions and smuggled oil.
"Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," the secretary announced.
US agencies now intend to intensify pressure and block sources of revenue used to finance the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian authorities.
The secretary also warned that companies and organizations helping Iran launder money risk losing access to the US dollar financial system.
At the same time, Bessent clarified that most secondary sanctions will not take effect immediately, as Washington plans to give violators time to end their cooperation with Tehran.
US President Donald Trump is also holding talks with leaders of other countries, urging them to end economic engagement with the Iranian regime.
The United States previously announced plans to take unprecedented measures against Iran. Above all, this involves strong economic pressure on the regime.
In addition, US President Donald Trump has changed his strategy toward Iran, opting for sanctions and a wait-and-see approach instead of military action.
