US Treasury Secretary says Washington will cut Iran's ties to the world

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration will continue tightening sanctions on Iran and target anyone doing business with the country, telling Fox News that Washington is sending a message to "stay away from Iran" and cut Tehran off from the global economy. Bessent said the United States has imposed sanctions on Iran "on a scale never seen before" and that the measures are designed to squeeze the Iranian regime. Bessent pointed to public statements by Iran's president and parliament speaker acknowledging serious economic difficulties, citing the collapse of the Iranian currency, inflation above 100 percent and officials unable to pay security forces' salaries. He also called on Russia to end its support for Iran. The Treasury Secretary said Iranian aviation, maritime and digital-asset sectors could be targeted by sanctions, adding that Washington will continue restricting Iran's access to the financial system.