US treasury secretary announces toughest-ever sanctions on Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the 'day of economic reckoning' for Iran has arrived, announcing that the United States will launch on Monday its largest-ever financial offensive as part of escalating economic pressure on Tehran.

Besant confirmed that Washington is preparing to impose 'the toughest sanctions in history' on Iran, with details of the new measures to be revealed at a press conference on Monday.

The treasury secretary stated that the campaign aims to sever every economic lifeline sustaining the Iranian regime, warning that countries tying their fate to Tehran may find all paths to lasting prosperity closed off.

Besant cautioned that any country acting as a financial conduit for the 'waning' Iranian regime should expect to share in its isolation, as Washington increases pressure on nations maintaining trade and financial ties with Tehran.

Besant had earlier announced that the new measures are intended to push Iran's economy to collapse, urging China to cooperate with the United States given Iran's heavy reliance on oil exports to the Chinese market.

The treasury secretary also issued a warning to countries providing economic support to Iran, echoing President Donald Trump's warning of economic consequences for any nation offering 'any kind of lifeline' to Tehran.

Besant stressed that any military action against US forces or Gulf states would be met with a swift and firm response from President Trump, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

These statements come ahead of the US Treasury Department's announcement on Monday of the details of the new sanctions, which Washington has described as the toughest ever, as part of a campaign to economically isolate Iran and tighten financial pressure on the regime.