The Government of Donald Trump launched a new economic offensive against the Iranian regime and warned that companies, banks, and intermediaries that contribute to financially supporting Tehran could be excluded from the U.S. financial system.
The Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, presented a new package of measures on Monday aimed at , while the war remains stalled after nearly six months of conflict.
“Around the world, our goal is to cut every economic lifeline that supports this tyrannical regime until Tehran is completely isolated,” Bessent stated during a press conference.
The official was even more forceful in warning international financial entities that continue to operate with Iran.
“Any entity that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be expelled from the U.S. dollar system. The clock has just begun to tick,” he assured.
Trump tightens economic pressure on Iran
The new strategy from Washington seeks to expand the reach of U.S. sanctions beyond companies directly linked to the Iranian regime.
The Treasury Department established new restrictions on five sectors considered strategic for the Iranian economy: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime transport.
According to Washington, Tehran uses these areas to keep its trade routes open, obtain foreign currency, and evade international restrictions.
Trump toughens economic pressure against Iran
The offensive also includes sanctions against more than 60 entities, individuals, and vessels located in various countries, accused by the United States of collaborating with Iran in accessing technology related to its nuclear and missile programs.
The White House aims to increase the cost for any international actor that helps the regime maintain its commercial and financial networks.
The threat also reaches foreign banks
One of the most important points of the announcement is that secondary sanctions could target foreign financial institutions that process transactions linked to Iran.
Bessent was specifically asked about the possibility of the United States sanctioning Chinese banks that participate in processing Iranian oil sales.
The Treasury Secretary's response was clear: “No one is outside the reach of U.S. sanctions”.
Although he avoided directly naming Beijing, Bessent stated that Washington will continue to use diplomatic channels to pressure other governments and companies.
“The best way to engage with countries is through quiet diplomacy,” he explained.
The goal of the Trump administration is for the threat of losing access to the financial system and the U.S. dollar to be sufficient for companies and governments to reconsider their trade ties with Tehran.
Trump pressures other countries to isolate Tehran
Bessent also revealed that Trump personally intervenes in negotiations with foreign governments to convince them to reduce or directly cut their economic relations with Iran.
The Treasury Secretary assured that these efforts have already begun to yield results and mentioned the United Arab Emirates as an example, which last week announced the suspension, until further notice, of its commercial and financial operations with Iran.
Trump pressures other countries to isolate Tehran
Bessent highlighted the persuasive ability of the U.S. president during negotiations.
“I am sure that the president, as all of you know, is quite persuasive,” he stated.
The strategy seeks to build an economic blockade around the Iranian regime and progressively reduce its chances of accessing dollars, technology, transport, raw materials, and international financial channels.
Iran challenges Trump's new sanctions
From Tehran, they attempted to downplay the impact of the new measures.
The president of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, stated that Washington's threats are not causing other countries to abandon their trade relations with Iran.
In a message posted on X, the leader questioned the ability of the United States to continue restricting Tehran's economic ties with other countries and assured that governments will continue to defend their own commercial interests.
The response reflects the clash between two strategies: while Trump aims to use U.S. financial power to isolate the Iranian regime, Tehran tries to keep its trade relations open and find alternatives to the dollar-dominated system.
The new Treasury offensive thus raises the pressure on companies and financial entities worldwide. For Washington, the warning is clear: those who help finance the Iranian regime will have to choose between maintaining their business with Tehran or preserving their access to the U.S. financial system.
