US Launches Economic War on Iran with Naval Blockade and Sanctions

The United States has announced an unprecedented economic campaign against Iran, which includes a naval blockade and severe secondary sanctions. The goal is to collapse the Iranian regime, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Bessent said the measures will be detailed at a news conference on Monday and described the strategy as a combination of the blockade and what he called the toughest sanctions ever imposed on a country. 'It is going to work in Iran and we are going to collapse this regime,' he told CNBC.

The new campaign targets not only Iran but also third countries that continue trading with it, including through oil purchases, financial transfers, and sanctions-evasion networks. Bessent warned governments and businesses around the world that maintaining commercial links with Tehran could expose them to US economic penalties.

Analysts doubt that even a combination of a naval blockade and severe secondary sanctions can quickly force Iran's economy or its political system to collapse. Iran has endured extensive US sanctions for decades and entered the latest conflict already suffering from deep structural economic problems.