US pushes allies, China to back Trump’s economic war on Iran
The United States is pressuring allies and China to join a new economic campaign aimed at isolating Iran and collapsing its regime. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the U.S. prefers economic pressure over military action to achieve these goals.
Why it matters
This shift in U.S. foreign policy toward economic warfare against Iran has major implications for global energy markets and international relations with China.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent vowed that the economic pressure would work and collapse the Iranian regime. (EPA Images pic)
WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday warned allies and China to join President Donald Trump's new campaign to isolate the Iranian economy, vowing that Washington would "collapse this regime" in Tehran.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent's comments underscored how Trump is shifting to economic rather than military pressure on Tehran as his unpopular war drags toward the six-month mark.
Iran branded the US threats as "economic terrorism" and said they would fail.
Under fire at home over the impact of the war and with crucial midterm elections looming, Trump had on Wednesday promised the "most crushing" economic operation ever against Iran.
"It is going to work in Iran and we are going to collapse this regime," Bessent told US broadcaster CNBC.
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