25.08.2026 01:30
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions against Iran, stating that Washington has launched a comprehensive economic operation targeting Tehran's global financial connections. Bessent said the measures target a broad range of areas, including Iran's oil revenues and sources financing the Revolutionary Guards, and announced that more than 60 individuals, entities, and vessels have been added to the sanctions list.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a press conference at the Treasury Department to announce new sanctions against Iran.
"LARGEST ECONOMIC OFFENSIVE TO DATE"
In his remarks regarding the step that U.S. President Donald Trump compared to the Normandy landings of World War II, Bessent described the new sanctions as the "largest economic offensive to date."
In his statement, Bessent said, "We are launching an economic offensive against Iran's global financial connections. Our goal is to cut off every economic lifeline that sustains this regime until Tehran stands alone."
Bessent stated that under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. has put an end to the Iranian threat, adding that the American military has prepared the necessary groundwork to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and that a long-term financial operation will be carried out with the strength of the American economy.
"IRAN NOW FACES ONLY TWO PATHS"
Bessent said, "Iran now faces only two paths: either complete global isolation and an economy barely capable of meeting basic needs, or the opportunity to return to normal and rejoin the global economy."
Describing the financial offensive against Iran as "Operation Economic Isolation," Bessent said, "The Treasury Department has identified all the connection points, intermediaries, and networks Iran uses to smuggle oil and evade sanctions. From today onward, the department and other agencies will tighten the noose and block all revenue sources financing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the seditious Iranian regime. We are implementing a zero-leak approach."
Emphasizing that the U.S. will not leave Iran even the slightest breathing room, Bessent stated, "The final refuge of this regime is countries that, thinking they can stay away from the threat posed by Iran, continue to finance it in error. Operating in the gray areas of this conflict is no longer acceptable."
"COUNTRIES FACILITATING ANY INTERACTION WITH THE REGIME MUST HEED OUR MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY"
Stating that countries supporting Iran purchase and transport Iranian oil, facilitate the transfer of financial resources to Iran, turn a blind eye to ship-to-ship fuel transfers at sea, and tolerate their banks being used by Iran, Bessent said, "President Donald Trump is making phone calls to world leaders to halt their interactions with the Iranian regime. We have already begun to see results. The statements made by the Iranian administration over the weekend showed that they clearly acknowledge the impact of this mobilization. Countries facilitating any interaction with the regime must heed our message immediately."
Bessent added, "Those who stand with the U.S. will benefit from the advantages our partnership offers. Those who side with the Iranian regime should be prepared to share in the isolation of this increasingly weakened regime."
"A DEFINITE DEADLINE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO EVERY COUNTRY TO CEASE ACTIVITIES"
Noting that the U.S. is conducting discussions with counterparts around the world regarding the steps expected from third countries on Iran, Bessent said, "A definite deadline has been given to every country to cease the identified activities. If they do not act, we will take unilateral steps within the authority of the Treasury Department."
"ORGANIZATIONS FACILITATING MONEY LAUNDERING ON BEHALF OF IRAN WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE DOLLAR SYSTEM"
Bessent also stated that all financial institutions facilitating money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the U.S. dollar system. Noting that the sanctions target five key areas Iran benefits from in other countries—digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime transport—Bessent announced that the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has added more than 60 individuals, entities, and vessels to the sanctions list for assisting Iran with nuclear and missile technology, cyber operations, and enabling it to earn oil revenue.
"IT IS TIME TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAN"
Stating that any economic relationship established with Iran from now on will face the power of the U.S., Bessent said, "I appeal to those supporting Tehran. Do not underestimate the cost of testing Washington's resolve. It is time for world leaders to make a choice between prosperity and isolation, peace and terror, and the U.S. and Iran. The mobilization we launched today will continue with growing strength day by day and will not end until Iran is completely isolated."
"NO ONE IS BEYOND THE REACH OF AMERICAN SANCTIONS"
When asked during the press conference about the possibility of targeting Chinese banks, Bessent replied, "We want to make it clear here today that no one is beyond the reach of American sanctions. If they are facilitating transactions and are part of a system that converts Iranian oil into money and then into pressure, they will be targeted."
Stating that the U.S. is in talks with every country and building common ground, Bessent said, "We know who they are, and they know who they are. So when the Treasury Department's sanctions hammer comes down on them, they will have no one to blame but themselves."
Bessent declined to announce any timeline regarding the sanctions. Responding to a question on the matter, Bessent said, "I will not announce a specific timeframe, but our patience is not infinite."
"SANCTIONS ON A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION COULD BE IMPOSED BY THE END OF THE WEEK"
Following the press conference, Bessent stated that a new wave of sanctions against Iran would be witnessed, saying, "You should expect these sanctions to continue at the same pace. I also anticipate that you will see a significant announcement regarding sanctions on a financial institution by the end of this week."
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a press conference at the Treasury Department to announce new sanctions against Iran. In his remarks regarding the step that U.S. President Donald Trump compared to the Normandy landings of World War II, Bessent described the new sanctions as the "largest economic offensive to date."
In his statement, Bessent said, "We are launching an economic offensive against Iran's global financial connections. Our goal is to cut off every economic lifeline that sustains this regime until Tehran stands alone."
Bessent, stating that under the leadership of US President Trump, the US has put an end to the Iranian threat, said that the American military has prepared the necessary groundwork to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and that with the strength of the American economy, a long-term financial operation will also be conducted.