Bessent: US preparing unprecedented economic isolation of Iran

The United States plans to announce new measures against Iran as early as next week, which are intended to increase the economic isolation of the country to an unprecedented level. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this in an interview with Newsmax.

According to Bessent, the new stage of pressure will combine financial restrictions with the continuation of the American blockade in the area of the Strait of Hormuz. The minister stated that Washington intends to restrict as much as possible the flow of goods to Iranian ports and Iran's ability to conduct foreign trade. He has not yet disclosed the specific list of new economic measures.

The new wave of restrictions will be a continuation of the Economic Fury campaign, which the US Treasury Department is conducting against Iran's financial and trade networks. The American authorities have already blocked assets, cryptocurrency operations, shadow banking networks, supplies of components for weapons, and schemes for exporting Iranian oil.

According to the US Treasury Department's assessment, previous measures under Economic Fury have cut off Iran and related structures from access to revenues worth tens of billions of dollars. Washington also warns companies and vessels that help circumvent restrictions on oil and other goods trade about the risk of falling under American sanctions.

Iranian shadow banking and maritime networks have become a separate target. In July, the US imposed restrictions on more than 50 individuals, companies, and vessels connected with the network of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, which Washington considers one of the important channels for exporting Iranian oil and circumventing sanctions.

The campaign of maximum pressure on Iran was officially resumed by Donald Trump in February 2025. The presidential memorandum instructed the US Treasury Department to systematically apply sanctions and other measures to deprive the Iranian authorities and related structures of access to revenues and the international financial system.

Bessent's current statement means a further strengthening of this strategy, but its practical impact cannot yet be assessed: Washington has not yet announced exactly which financial, trade, or secondary sanctions will be included in the new package.

Sources: Newsmax, U.S. Treasury Department