The Trump administration had predicted for days a new package of economic sanctions that would bring Iran to its knees and beg to deal with the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today ascended a White House podium to provide the details of what was being called Operation Economic Outcast.
On TV before his appearance, he announced that “we are going to collapse this regime.” At the press conference, he announced only that there would be sanctions against countries that continue to deal with Iran, but he didn’t name them. China is one of the largest trading partners with the Islamic Republic, but it seems doubtful the Chinese would cut off trade.
“Let there be no ambiguity as to the position of the United States,” Bessent told reporters. “An economic engagement of any kind with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power.”
Iran had said over the weekend that any country acceding to U.S. trade demands would be creating “an act of war.”
Later, Bessent confided about the lack of sanctions detail by saying: “We are giving everyone the opportunity to remedy bad behavior. Why would I want to blow up the global financial system?”
