U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced the launch of Operation Economic Outcast – an unprecedented campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its enablers.
“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Secretary Bessent declared.
Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, “America is no longer managing the Iranian threat. We are ending it.”
U.S. Armed Forces have laid the groundwork for achieving the President’s objective of preventing Iran from ever obtaining nuclear weapons. Now, Iran faces a choice: complete global isolation and a subsistence economy, or a path back to normalcy, with an opportunity to rejoin the global economy.
Beginning immediately, the actions of Treasury and other U.S. government agencies will tighten the noose and block every potential source of revenue that funds the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian regime. There will be no breathing space for the regime to rebuild its capacity to inflict terror against America and the world.
“It is no longer acceptable to operate in the gray spaces of this conflict,” warned Secretary Bessent. “Countries cannot claim that they are blind to enabling this activity.”
“Iran’s enablers purchase and transport its petroleum. They facilitate the flow of its finances through exchange houses and free trade zones.”
“They welcome Iran’s flights and maintain registries on its behalf. They turn a blind eye to seaborne fuel transfers and to overland transits. And they condone the illicit use of their banks, all while concealing the extent of their complicity.”
President Trump has reached out to world leaders with specific requests to cease their interactions with the Iranian regime. And there is evidence that these requests are being heeded. Indeed, “those who stand with the United States will reap the rewards of our partnership,” promised Secretary Bessent.
Conversely, “those who tether themselves to Tehran should expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime.”
Every country has a defined timeline to shut down activities vis-à-vis Iran. “If they do not take action,” cautioned Secretary Bessent, “we will do so unilaterally through Treasury authorities.”
He highlighted the case of Bank Melli, saying “every branch must be shuttered.”
Furthermore, “any entity that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the U.S. dollar system. The clock is ticking.”
The latest sanctions target five of Iran’s most vital lifelines that it exploits in other countries: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping.
Moreover, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned over 60 entities, individuals, and vessels across the world that enable the Iranian regime to procure illicit nuclear and missile technology, conduct cyber operations, and generate oil revenue.
“An economic engagement of any kind with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power,” Secretary Bessent vowed.
“It is now time for world leaders to make a decision. Between prosperity and isolation. Peace and terror. America and Iran.”