‘Economic D-Day’ for Iran: US Treasury Chief Bessent Signals Escalating Pressure on Tehran

US Signals Major Economic Offensive Against Iran as Tehran Threatens to Halt Oil Exports

The Trump administration is preparing a sweeping economic campaign against Iran, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing the planned measures as an “economic D-Day” aimed at cutting off the financial channels supporting Tehran.

In a post on X on Sunday, Bessent said Washington had entered the “endgame” of its campaign against Iran and was preparing what he called the biggest financial offensive ever deployed against an adversary.

He credited President Donald Trump with weakening Iran’s military capabilities and targeting its nuclear programme, saying the administration had now created the conditions to use the full range of US economic powers against Tehran.

“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent said.

Bessent Warns Iran of Mounting Pressure

Bessent accused Tehran of using security guarantees as a form of pressure while assuming that Iranian retaliation would be certain and US enforcement could be negotiated.

He said that approach had changed under Trump, warning those who believed confronting Tehran carried limited consequences not to underestimate Washington’s willingness to enforce its measures.

The Treasury secretary also said the administration was prepared to deploy authorities and actions that many had previously considered unlikely.

Iran Threatens to Stop Oil Exports

Tehran responded with a warning that it could halt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf if Washington continues what Iranian officials describe as an economic war.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on X that Iran could stop all oil exports if the economic campaign continued. He further warned that countries supporting or participating in the US measures could be regarded by Tehran as committing an “act of war.”

The warning comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran over the prospect of tougher US sanctions.

Iranian Leaders Mock Sanctions Threat

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also criticised the US pressure campaign, using sarcasm to argue that aggressive economic measures could ultimately produce unintended consequences for Washington.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei separately said Iran was accustomed to dealing with sanctions and conflict, pointing out that the country had faced US sanctions for roughly two decades.

Trump Calls for ‘Economic D-Day’

Trump had announced the planned economic campaign earlier in the week, calling it the most severe economic operation ever directed against a country and urging US allies to help isolate Iran.

He said Washington had access to “very draconian sanctions” and would determine its next steps based on developments.

Trump also suggested that the measures could have a major impact on oil markets, saying the outcome could either drive oil prices sharply lower or lead to the continuation of existing restrictions.

The escalating rhetoric marks a fresh phase in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with the US threatening unprecedented financial pressure and Iran warning that any attempt to choke its economy could trigger retaliation against oil flows from the Gulf.