US Treasury secretary says new economic measures will ‘collapse’ Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US is preparing to implement the toughest sanctions in history against Iran to collapse its government. The administration has warned international allies that they will face severe economic consequences if they continue to conduct business with Tehran.
Why it matters
This represents a significant escalation in US foreign policy and economic warfare, potentially impacting global energy markets and international relations.
Scott Bessent has not said if countries such as China could be targeted in an effort to economically isolate Tehran.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to journalists outside the White House in Washington, DC, on August 20 [Jim Watson/AFP] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 20 Aug 2026 20 Aug 2026 United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that a new series of economic measures will “collapse” the Iranian government, calling on countries to join the effort.
Bessent told the news service CNBC on Thursday that the US would apply the “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran, its adversary in a nearly six-month-long war.
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