The United States launched Operation Economic Outcast Monday to “tighten the noose” on Iranian forces by working with other countries to eliminate Iran’s trade options.
“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” said United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in a press conference Monday.
“Iran now faces a very clear choice, with only two paths before them,” Bessent said. “Complete global isolation and a subsistence economy, or a path back to normalcy with an opportunity to rejoin the global economy.”
The announcement comes days after President Donald Trump warned of an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” in a post on Truth Social.
“America is no longer managing the Iranian threat,” Bessent said. “We are ending it.”
U.S. warns global leaders to comply or face consequences
Bessent said Trump is making phone calls to world leaders to request they cease interactions with Iran. The campaign is “already seeing results,” and comments from Iranian leadership over the weekend “clearly acknowledge the effects of this campaign,” Bessent said.
Bessent would not name the countries that had agreed to participate and would not set timelines for when the effects of the operation would be evident, but said the administration “does not have infinite patience,” adding that no countries are above facing repercussions if they engage with Iran.
“Let there be no ambiguity as to the position of the United States: an economic engagement of any kind with this murderous regime will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power,” Bessent said. “No one should test our resolve.”
The campaign will ‘gather force with every day that follows’
The United Arab Emirates was the first country to suspend trade with Iran, a plan it announced last Wednesday after it came under renewed fire from Iranian forces.
Bessent told reporters to expect several countries to announce their participation in the operation in coming days. He also said to expect “a major announcement” coming by the end of the week concerning a financial institution that will be sanctioned.
Bessent said the campaign will “gather force with every day that follows” and “will not end until the regime stands alone.”
“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,” Bessent said.
“It is now time for world leaders to make a decision between prosperity and isolation, peace and terror, America and Iran.”
