US prepares to sharply escalate economic pressure on Iran after strikes on military and nuclear capabilities

The United States is preparing to significantly increase economic pressure on Iran after strikes weakened the country’s military capabilities and dealt a serious blow to its nuclear programme, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Bessent said that under President Donald Trump, Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened and its nuclear programme had suffered major damage. He said Washington was now entering the “final phase” of its confrontation with Tehran.

He described the next stage as an “economic D-Day” for Iran and said it would amount to the largest financial attack the United States had ever launched against an adversary.

According to Bessent, Washington’s goal is to cut off economic channels supporting Iran’s government and isolate Tehran from the international financial system.

“Those who fear confrontation with Tehran should not underestimate the cost of testing Washington,” Bessent said.

The U.S. Treasury secretary also indicated that countries and companies maintaining economic ties with Iran could face pressure. Reuters reported that Washington’s new measures could include secondary sanctions targeting Iran’s trading partners.

The United States has said it is preparing what it describes as the “toughest sanctions in history” against Iran’s economy. Washington aims to increase pressure on Iranian oil revenues, financial transactions and other economic links.

Iran has rejected the planned U.S. sanctions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the measures would not produce results and that Washington’s policy of pressure was doomed to fail.

The confrontation between the United States and Iran has also severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has warned that it could halt oil exports through the Gulf if the economic war continues.

Gulnar Nazimqizi