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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday said the United States was intensifying economic pressure on Iran through fresh sanctions, tighter oil restrictions and a naval blockade, claiming the Iranian economy was now in “free fall”.
In a post on X, Bessent said the US Treasury was continuing its “Economic Fury” campaign against the Iranian regime as negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain underway.
“The Iranian economy and currency are in free fall,” Bessent said, adding that Iranian troops were not being paid, police personnel were failing to report for duty and operations at Kharg Island — Iran’s key oil export hub — had been disrupted.
The US Treasury also announced sanctions on Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), with Bessent warning companies and governments against paying tolls or disguising such payments as aid transfers.
Bessent said the US naval blockade had reduced Iranian crude shipments to record lows and added that Washington was also moving to restrict Iranian airlines’ access to landing rights, refuelling services and ticket sales.
“Only a satisfactory outcome in negotiations will end the downward spiral,” he said.
The latest comments come amid heightened tensions in West Asia and ongoing efforts to reach a broader understanding between the US and Iran over regional security and economic restrictions.
In a post on X, Bessent said the US Treasury was continuing its “Economic Fury” campaign against the Iranian regime as negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain underway.
“The Iranian economy and currency are in free fall,” Bessent said, adding that Iranian troops were not being paid, police personnel were failing to report for duty and operations at Kharg Island — Iran’s key oil export hub — had been disrupted.
The US Treasury also announced sanctions on Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), with Bessent warning companies and governments against paying tolls or disguising such payments as aid transfers.
Bessent said the US naval blockade had reduced Iranian crude shipments to record lows and added that Washington was also moving to restrict Iranian airlines’ access to landing rights, refuelling services and ticket sales.
“Only a satisfactory outcome in negotiations will end the downward spiral,” he said.
The latest comments come amid heightened tensions in West Asia and ongoing efforts to reach a broader understanding between the US and Iran over regional security and economic restrictions.
