U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a strong warning to international entities supporting Iran, urging them to 'stay away' as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to 'asphyxiate' Tehran's economy through sweeping sanctions and a comprehensive pressure campaign [1]. Bessent specifically targeted financial institutions and other external actors, referencing recent sanctions imposed on the Dubai branches of an Egyptian bank accused of providing over $1.8 billion to the Iranian regime since 2025 [1].
Russian President Vladimir Putin was also singled out in Bessent's remarks, following Putin's pledge to support Iran and oppose U.S. sanctions during a recent summit [1]. Bessent emphasized that new Treasury authorities have expanded the administration's capacity to target Iran's support network across airline, maritime, and digital asset sectors, warning that any entity doing business with Tehran would face similar punitive measures [1].
Bessent highlighted visible signs of economic distress within Iran, including hours-long gas lines, a collapsing currency, inflation exceeding 100%, and the regime's inability to pay its troops [1]. The pressure campaign, according to Bessent, combines six weeks of military strikes, a blockade that is 'quarantining and isolating the country,' and unprecedented sanctions designed to isolate Iran from the global economy [1].
The Treasury Secretary stated, 'We are going to systemically go through and take every bad actor like that out,' and described the effort as 'all hands on deck,' involving teams from the Treasury, State Department, and DOW engaging in talks with those supporting the regime [1].
CONCLUSION
The Trump administration's escalated sanctions and pressure campaign are causing severe economic turmoil in Iran, with the U.S. warning all international supporters of Tehran of significant consequences. The measures are expected to further isolate Iran economically and could have substantial ripple effects across global financial and energy markets.