US Treasury Secretary: "Operation Economic Outcast" aims to cut off every economic lifeline to Iran
Washington, Aug 24 (KUNA) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that the primary objective of the “economic pariah” campaign announced by the U.S. administration on Monday is to “cut off every economic lifeline that sustains the Iranian regime.”
In a press conference, Bessent noted that the campaign targets sectors linked to the Iranian regime, including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime shipping. He stated, “We are launching a sweeping economic offensive targeting Iran’s financial connections worldwide to cut off every economic lifeline feeding this tyrannical regime, until Tehran finds itself completely isolated.”
He added that Iran “now faces a very clear choice, with only two paths: total global isolation and a subsistence-level economy, or a return to normalcy with the opportunity to re-engage with the global economy.”
Bessent emphasized that his department “has precisely identified every connection point, every facilitator, and every network Iran has used to smuggle oil and circumvent sanctions. Starting today, Treasury measures and those of other agencies will tighten the squeeze and block every potential source of revenue funding the Revolutionary Guard and the evil Iranian regime.”
Bessent disclosed that U.S. President Donald Trump “is holding phone calls with world leaders, making specific requests to halt their dealings with the regime,” and affirmed, “We are already seeing results.”
He added, “Countries that facilitate any international dealings with the regime must quickly absorb our message,” clarifying that “those who stand with the United States will reap the benefits of our partnership... while those who tie their fate to the Iranian regime should expect to share in the isolation of a collapsing regime.”
He continued, “Teams from the U.S. Departments of the Treasury, State, and Defense are currently meeting with their counterparts around the world to inform them that the United States expects concrete action.”
He stressed that “each country has a specific timeline to halt the activities we have identified. If those countries do not take action, we will do so unilaterally, using the authorities of the Treasury Department.” (End) R.S.R / S.A.M.
