Washington Warns of New Measures Against Iran, Bessent: Unprecedented Economic Isolation

Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, has warned that Iran could face new and severe measures aimed at placing Tehran under economic isolation “the likes of which the world has never seen before.”

During an interview with the US network Newsmax, Bessent said Washington was drafting additional measures that are expected to be unveiled next week. He said they would be implemented alongside the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime corridors for global oil and gas transportation.

“It will be a combination of economic isolation the likes of which the world has never seen before and the continuation of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,” Bessent said. According to him, this approach would prevent goods from entering and leaving Iranian ports.

Although he did not specify what the new measures would entail, the US Treasury chief said there would be further announcements about them over the coming week.

The US strategy, as described by Bessent, combines economic pressure with a physical blockade. He compared the approach to measures taken against Cuba and Venezuela, while claiming that the Venezuelan economy had collapsed immediately after the blockade was imposed.

Meanwhile, US Vice President J.D. Vance has said that keeping oil and gasoline prices low for American consumers is one of Washington’s main objectives in the conflict with Iran. He listed preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as the second objective.

This latest stance by the US administration comes as talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz appear to have stalled. On August 4, Bessent said Washington could secure an agreement with Tehran “today or tomorrow” to reopen the strait. The statement led to a decline in oil prices and gains in financial markets.

With the diplomatic channel now appearing blocked and both sides refusing to shift their positions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the US is intensifying economic pressure on Iran. The newly announced measures are expected to take concrete form next week.