International

US Treasury Chief Warns of ‘Economic D-Day’ for Iran

24 August 2026 19:08 PM

NEWS DESK

The United States is preparing to intensify economic pressure on Iran as Washington seeks to push Tehran back to the negotiating table, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned, describing the coming measures as an “economic D-Day.”

In an opinion article published by the Financial Times on Sunday, Bessent said the United States was preparing what he called one of the largest financial campaigns ever undertaken against an adversary. He also warned countries doing business with Iran that they could face consequences, although he did not provide details of the planned measures.

“We are now entering the final phase,” Bessent wrote. “With dawn comes an economic D-Day—an economic campaign of a scale never before seen against an adversary.”

He said the United States aimed to cut off what he described as every economic “lifeline” supporting Iran’s government until Tehran was isolated.

Bessent’s article was published a day before a planned news conference in which he is expected to discuss the administration’s economic strategy. CNN has contacted the US Treasury Department for further details. Bessent is scheduled to hold a news conference at 1 p.m. local time on Monday.

His comments echoed recent warnings from President Donald Trump, who last week also threatened an “economic D-Day” against Iran. Trump said countries continuing to conduct business with Tehran could face what he described as “terrible economic consequences.”

Washington is seeking to increase economic pressure on Iran in an effort to bring the country back to negotiations.

Bessent accused Iran’s partners of continuing to purchase and transport Iranian oil, facilitating fuel transfers at sea and allowing their banking systems to be used illegally. He also accused them of concealing the extent of their involvement.

“In short, these countries believe appeasing this regime is the safest course,” Bessent wrote, urging them instead to consider the potential consequences of helping sustain the Iranian government.

Bessent also issued a broader warning to Tehran. He said that if Iran responds militarily to US economic measures, Trump would respond “quickly and decisively,” signaling that Washington’s planned economic campaign could carry the risk of further escalation between the two countries.

US Treasury Chief Warn Economic D-Day