Iran warns Arab states over US military presence

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a warning to all countries, banks, and businesses that support Iran, stating that the Trump administration will target those aiding Tehran as the US ramps up its economic pressure campaign. "We are telling friends and foes, do not deal with this evil regime," Bessent said in an interview with Fox News' Fox & Friends.

"We know who you are, you know who you are, and if we have to, we will put you out of business," he warned. The Treasury Department is focusing on financial institutions and other entities that continue to support Iran despite US sanctions. Recent sanctions have targeted the Dubai branches of an Egyptian bank, which provided over $1.8 billion to the Iranian regime since 2025.

Bessent warned that similar actions could be taken against other institutions and companies aiding Tehran in circumventing US restrictions, stating that they will be "systemically going through and taking every bad actor like that out." The administration has expanded its ability to pursue Iran's support network across several sectors, including aviation, shipping, and digital assets.

The impact of the US pressure campaign is already being felt within Iran, with long queues at petrol stations, a weakening currency, inflation over 100%, and Iran's inability to pay its military personnel. This multi-layered campaign, combining economic sanctions with military and maritime pressure, aims to isolate Iran from the global economy and asphyxiate the regime.