The Treasury Secretary highlighted the combination of the naval blockade and sanctions to cut Iran's oil revenues and push for a change in policy or regime
The administration of President Donald Trump has intensified its economic and military campaign aimed at isolating Iran, combining a naval blockade with a broad sanctions regime that seeks to cut off the main sources of income and financing for the Tehran regime. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the strategy and stated that the United States is executing an unprecedented economic pressure operation.
''We are executing the Economic Marginalization Operation right now, and this is the largest economic isolation operation in world history'', Bessent asserted. The official maintained that Washington aims to ''suffocate this regime'' through a combination of financial sanctions and restrictions on oil trade.
According to Scott Bessent, both tools represent a particularly powerful blow because they simultaneously attack energy revenues and financial networks that have allowed the Iranian government to sustain its operations. The secretary also noted that the supply of Iranian crude available to China, the main buyer of Tehran's oil, would be decreasing rapidly.
Bessent estimated that about 30 million barrels remain that Beijing has not yet acquired, but assured that the blockade makes it difficult for Iran to replenish those reserves through new exports. ''The blockade is working. It is working like we have never seen before'', he stated, presenting the strategy as a tool capable of exerting decisive pressure on the regime.
The Donald Trump administration claims to be exerting unprecedented economic pressure against the Iranian terrorist regime
The Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, supported that assessment and explained that the U.S. objective is not only to reduce Iranian exports but to weaken the economic structures that allow the regime to maintain its current policy. Wright stated that the main U.S. military mission in the region is to prevent the export of Iranian crude and other energy products.
''We are strangling their economy to try to achieve a change in policy from the existing regime or a new regime'', declared Wright, who insisted that Tehran's strategy is progressively failing.
The economic pressure is already having significant consequences within Iran. Iranian sources acknowledged that the sanctions and blockade are restricting the government's access to foreign currency, imports, and international financing. The situation is also generating concern over the availability of essential products, including fuel and wheat.
The economic deterioration poses a political risk for Iranian authorities. The national currency, the rial, has lost more than 60% of its value since March, while inflation has exceeded 80%. Additionally, the International Monetary Fund projects a contraction of 6.1% for the Iranian economy this year.
The U.S. Secretary of Energy assured that Washington maintains the goal of not allowing Iran to export oil and other energy products
In this context, the Iranian Parliament has acknowledged that the confrontation increasingly affects production and the livelihood of the population. At the same time, the Ministry of Economy created an ''Economic War Headquarters'' to address the difficulties faced by businesses, trade, and financing mechanisms.
Trump has also used his social media to highlight the Iranian economic deterioration, emphasizing the currency drop, inflation, and the collapse of oil exports. The president has linked the growing economic pressure with the regime's ability to remain in power and has urged Iranians to rise up against their rulers.
The economic campaign is taking place simultaneously with an increasing military confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command reported that its forces have redirected 92 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two others as part of the maritime blockade. The situation escalated after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two U.S. warships, after which U.S. forces attacked three Iranian tankers.
Donald Trump has highlighted the deterioration of the Iranian regime through social media and urged Iranian citizens to rise up against Khamenei's dictatorship
The commander of CENTCOM, Admiral Brad Cooper, warned that any attack against U.S. forces will incur a greater economic cost for Iran. The warning reflects Washington's strategy of using military power to protect the blockade while simultaneously reducing Tehran's ability to finance itself through its energy exports.
The United States has also worked to ensure the security of international traffic in Hormuz. A four-month operation, involving Navy SEALs, unmanned vessels, and specialized teams, allowed the removal of Iranian mines from maritime routes, reducing one of the main risks for commercial transport.
Although Washington keeps the possibility of negotiation open, Wright made it clear that a nuclear agreement is not essential to achieve the U.S. objective. According to the secretary, if Iran does not change its behavior, the United States will continue to degrade its capabilities.
The U.S. Armed Forces warned that any attack against U.S. military assets would be severely punished
