Bessent Threatens Iran with 'Single Greatest Financial Offensive Ever'

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has threatened Iran with 'the single greatest financial offensive ever', claiming that the US-Israel war with Iran is entering its endgame. The threat comes after several U-turns and extended deadlines from President Donald Trump's administration on previous threats to Iran.

Bessent said that the US would sever all economic ties with Iran in what he described as an 'economic D-Day', and warned any nation partnering with Iran financially would also be isolated. He wrote in an opinion piece for the Financial Times, 'The world should understand that our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone.'

The Iranian regime has already faced tough economic sanctions from the US, which were reimposed by Trump in 2018. The country's oil exports have been blocked since the conflict began at the end of February, with one-fifth of the world's oil and gas passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway south of Iran.

The Iranian regime has responded to Bessent's comments by saying it will shut down all oil exports from the region 'if the war continues', according to news agency Reuters. It also issued a warning to shipping not to pass through the Strait without its permission.