US Declares 'Economic D-Day' on Iran, Vows to Sever All Lifelines

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Sunday that the United States is entering an "economic D-Day" against Iran, vowing to sever all economic ties with the Islamic Republic and isolate any nation that continues doing business with Tehran. In a Financial Times opinion piece, Bessent described the campaign as "the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary." He said President Donald Trump has "dismantled Iran's military capabilities, destroyed nearly 100 percent of its military factories, and buried its nuclear program," adding: "We are now entering the endgame." Bessent warned that "any remaining tie to Tehran will hasten the economic ostracism of countries and entities." He is expected to detail specific measures at a press conference Monday at 1:00 PM local time. Iran responded with defiance. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned Monday that Tehran could halt all oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf if the US "economic war" continues. "If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported," Rezaei posted on X. He said Iran would consider any country supporting the US campaign as committing "an act of war." The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil passes, has been effectively blocked since the conflict began in late February.