US treasury secretary announces toughest-ever sanctions on Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant declared Monday would mark the beginning of the "day of economic reckoning" for Iran, announcing the launch of the largest financial offensive in history. The new sanctions, to be detailed at a press conference, aim to sever all economic ties sustaining the Iranian regime. Besant warned that any country financially supporting the "waning" Iranian regime would face isolation, mirroring President Donald Trump's threat of economic consequences for any nation providing aid to Tehran.

Besant emphasized that the campaign seeks to collapse Iran's economy, particularly urging China to cooperate due to Iran's heavy reliance on oil exports to China. He also cautioned nations aiding Iran that military action against US forces or Gulf states would be met with a swift response from President Trump. These actions precede the Treasury Department's announcement of the specific sanctions, described by Washington as the toughest ever, as part of a concerted effort to economically isolate Iran and tighten financial pressure on the regime.