BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. The United States intends to use its new sanctions campaign to “sever every economic lifeline” sustaining the Iranian government, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said, as Washington intensifies economic pressure on Tehran.
Speaking at a news conference, Bessent said the US objective was to isolate Iran economically by targeting financial and commercial channels connecting the country to the international economy.
“Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent said.
The Treasury secretary also warned that countries would be given a “finite timeline” to terminate financial activities involving Iran that have been identified by US authorities.
According to Bessent, the measures include efforts to close branches of Iranian banks operating abroad and restrict other financial channels available to Tehran.
He also issued a warning to governments, companies and other entities maintaining economic relations with Iran, saying that engagement with Tehran could expose those responsible to US punitive measures.
Bessent said economic engagement “of any kind” with Iran would expose those involved to the “full reach of American power”.
The Treasury secretary described Washington’s latest measures as an “unprecedented” economic sanctions campaign against Iran.
The statements signal an attempt by the US administration to extend economic pressure beyond Iranian entities themselves by targeting foreign partners that continue financial or commercial dealings with Tehran.
