British News Agency

US Treasury Secretary Bessent announced that, at President Trump’s direction, a new economic pressure campaign against Iran called "Operation Economic Outcast" had been launched.

Bessent said the purpose of the operation is to "cut every economic lifeline" keeping the Iranian government afloat, adding that the campaign would be conducted as a sustained financial operation.

In his statement, Bessent said, "Today, at President Trump’s direction, the US Treasury launched Operation Economic Outcast. Our goal is to isolate Tehran by cutting every economic lifeline supporting this tyrannical regime."

Arguing that the Trump administration has adopted a different approach toward Iran from previous administrations, Bessent said, "President Trump took steps that presidents before him had long postponed. Under his leadership, America is no longer managing the Iranian threat; it is ending it."

Bessent said the strength of the US economy makes it possible to sustain this comprehensive financial operation, adding, "Under President Trump, the strength of the American economy allows us to carry out this sustained financial operation."

Bessent said Iran now faces two choices, stating, "Iran now faces a very clear choice. There are only two paths ahead: total global isolation and a subsistence economy, or a return to normalcy and an opportunity to rejoin the global economy."

Bessent also targeted countries that enable the Iranian government to maintain its existing economic relationships, saying, "This regime’s last refuge is the mistaken belief that countries still financing the Iranian threat can evade sanctions. Operating in the gray areas of this conflict is no longer acceptable."

Bessent also warned countries that continue economic relations with the Iranian government, saying, "Countries facilitating any interaction with this regime should heed our message quickly. Those who stand with the United States will see the benefits of our partnership; those who tie themselves to the Iranian regime should expect to share the isolation of a regime in the process of collapse."

The US Treasury Secretary also delivered a strong sanctions warning regarding money laundering activities carried out on behalf of Iran.

Bessent said, "Let me be clear: Any entity facilitating money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the US dollar system. The clock started ticking today."

Bessent said the new sectoral sanctions announced today focus on five key economic areas that Iran uses in other countries.

Listing these areas as digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and maritime transportation, Bessent said the sectors play an important role in maintaining the Iranian economy’s international connections.

Bessent said, "This is a sustained campaign aimed at eliminating every option available to Iran."

Bessent stressed that there is no ambiguity in the US approach toward Iran, warning that actors engaging economically with the Iranian government could face US sanctions.

Bessent said, "Let there be no ambiguity about the position of the United States: Any economic engagement with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power."