BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 31. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the main goal of Washington’s sanctions against Iran is to create conditions that would encourage Tehran to return to negotiations.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Bessent said the purpose of the sanctions campaign was “to create the conditions that they will want to come to the table” for talks.
He also claimed that Iran’s military actions were driven by economic difficulties and said Iranian leaders were in a state of shock over the country’s worsening situation.
Earlier, Bessent told the Associated Press that the United States plans to impose sanctions on another Iranian bank this week as part of its broader strategy to economically isolate Tehran.
The Treasury secretary did not identify the bank that would be targeted.
The latest comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over sanctions, economic pressure and regional security issues.
US officials have said the sanctions campaign is aimed at restricting Iran’s access to international financial networks, while Iranian officials have repeatedly criticised such measures as economic warfare.
