Europe Joins the 'Economic Outcast' Campaign Against Iran
Washington – Agencies: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the European Union has formally joined what he described as an economic pariah campaign against Iran, affirming that Washington welcomes the EU’s supportive stance on measures aimed at tightening the financial squeeze on Tehran. (See page 13)
Bessent said yesterday that the United States values the EU’s strong and early position in supporting its actions against Iran, adding, “We will not stop until every remaining financial artery to Iran is cut, and we stand firmly with our allies to ensure that the Iranian regime cannot exploit the global financial system.”
Meanwhile, the United States expanded its economic campaign against Iran by imposing sanctions on three Turkey-based entities, in the latest step in President Donald Trump’s administration’s effort to tighten the noose around financial networks linked to Tehran. The U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctions targeted Golden Global Portfolio Management Company, Golden Global Limited Asset Leasing, and Golden Global Investment Bank. The department also issued a general license allowing for the gradual wind-down of transactions with the three sanctioned entities.
On the ground, U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of a new operation soon to destroy the most dangerous suspected Iranian nuclear site located south of Tehran. Trump said in the Oval Office yesterday, “We may attack the Mount Faust site very soon,” referring to the underground facility believed to have been used by Iran to transfer part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile.
For his part, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance addressed Iran, stating that Washington has many tools to pressure the Iranian regime, noting that Tehran’s capabilities are declining day by day. During a press conference at the White House, Vance said U.S. forces do not target civilians in their military operations, adding, “We have never done it before, and we never will.”
In response to a question about the possibility of arming the opposition inside Iran, Vance said all options are on the table, but he declined to disclose the nature of the options being considered by the U.S. administration.
