Bessent Warns Iran as US Prepares Toughest-Ever Sanctions

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Iran of severe economic consequences as Washington prepares to unveil what he described as the toughest sanctions package ever imposed on a country.

In an opinion piece published by the Financial Times on Sunday, Bessent said the United States was entering the “endgame” of its confrontation with Iran, arguing that Washington had already significantly weakened Tehran’s military capabilities.

“At dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary,” Bessent said. He is expected to formally announce the new U.S. sanctions at a conference beginning at 2 p.m. ET (18:00 GMT) on Monday.

Bessent also warned countries maintaining ties with Tehran that they risk becoming a “global pariah” as Washington intensifies its economic pressure campaign.

The warning followed comments from Iranian Secretary of the National Security Council Mohsen Rezaee, who said not a “single drop of oil will be exported” through the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere in the Persian Gulf if the economic campaign against Iran continues.

Iran already faces extensive U.S. restrictions targeting its oil exports and broader economy. Washington has also largely maintained a naval blockade, particularly after a June peace agreement failed to produce a lasting resolution.

President Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly declared victory over Iran and said the Strait of Hormuz had reopened to commercial shipping. However, recent shipping data showed traffic through the strategically important waterway remained far below pre-war levels amid fears of Iranian attacks on vessels attempting to cross.

The conflict, now approaching the six-month mark, expanded further in August when Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and began targeting vessels in the Red Sea.

Iran has demanded that Washington lift its naval blockade and comply with the previous peace agreement before negotiations resume. The deal effectively collapsed earlier in August, with neither side showing signs of seeking its renewal.