US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Monday that the Trump administration is keeping military action against Iran firmly on the table, making clear that Washington’s newly launched campaign of intense economic pressure does not preclude additional strikes against Tehran.
“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran,” Hegseth told reporters.
Hegseth also argued that Iran is incapable of withstanding the mounting economic pressure being imposed by the United States.
His remarks came just hours after US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast,” an expansive new American effort designed to economically isolate Iran and choke off revenue streams that support the Iranian regime.
Bessent compared the new campaign to the Allied offensive launched in the aftermath of D-Day during World War II, portraying the economic measures as a broad assault on Iran’s international financial connections.
“Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections around the globe.”
“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” he added.
The Treasury Secretary also put governments, businesses and other entities around the world on notice that continued economic dealings with Iran could carry consequences. He specifically cited Iranian petroleum purchases and transportation, exchange houses, free-trade zones, aviation, shipping, banking and fuel transfers as areas under scrutiny.
“The President is making phone calls to world leaders with specific requests to cease their interactions with the regime,” Bessent said, adding that US officials were already seeing results,” said Bessent.
“Those who stand with the United States will reap the rewards of our partnership. Those who tether themselves to the Iranian regime should expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime,” he stated.
The announcement by Bessent came several days after President Trump unveiled the broader economic offensive against Iran. Writing on Truth Social last Wednesday, Trump characterized the initiative as “an economic D-Day” and warned governments continuing to provide Tehran with economic assistance that they could face repercussions.
“These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” he wrote.
{Matzav.com}
