US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington aims to cut every economic relationship that helps sustain Iran’s economy, according to an opinion article published in the Financial Times. The remarks were reported on August 24, 2026, after President Donald Trump announced economic sanctions against Iran last week.

Bessent described the US campaign against Iran as entering its “final stage” and said Tehran faced an “economic D-Day.” He said Washington would pursue what he called the largest financial attack yet undertaken against an adversary. The stated objective, he said, is to isolate all economic routes supporting Iran’s governing system until Tehran is left alone.

The Treasury secretary said countries and companies maintaining any relationship with Tehran could face greater economic isolation, whether those links were deliberate or knowingly overlooked. He had previously warned that the United States could impose additional secondary sanctions on other countries and companies doing business with Iran. His comments indicate Washington is preparing to intensify economic pressure, including possible measures affecting third countries and institutions with commercial ties to Iran.