US Treasury Secretary: We will sever every economic lifeline of the Iranian regime

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a broad economic campaign against Iran on Monday, pledging to target financial networks, companies, and governments that sustain the Iranian regime. The initiative, dubbed 'Operation Economic Outcast,' aims to isolate Iran from the global economy by severing its remaining revenue sources and international financial connections. Bessent stated at a press conference that the goal is to cut every economic lifeline until Tehran stands alone, noting that the Trump administration is no longer seeking merely to contain the Iranian threat, but to eliminate it. The Treasury Secretary warned that entities refusing to halt business with Iran would face the full reach of American financial power. He added that President Trump has been personally contacting foreign leaders to urge them to end economic ties with Tehran. The campaign is expected to expand US secondary sanctions, targeting Iran’s sanctions-evasion networks in the oil, military, and financial sectors. Bessent praised the United Arab Emirates for severing ties with Iran, describing the Gulf state as a strong partner. Meanwhile, Iran has warned of potential retaliation against countries cooperating with the new US sanctions, and China has expressed opposition to Washington’s unilateral economic pressure, calling for a diplomatic resolution.