Trump to Intensify Economic Pressure on Iran

President Donald Trump is gearing up for new actions next week, significantly ramping up his campaign of “economic anger” towards Iran, as warned by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday.

Bessent noted that these measures, coupled with a U.S. naval blockade aimed at restricting goods in and out of Iranian ports, represent a level of economic isolation that is unprecedented.

“Keep an eye out for updates next week,” Bessent shared during an interview on Newsmax. “We’re going to implement strategies against a country that have never been previously executed in the realm of economic isolation.”

He characterized this forthcoming effort as the latest move in a pressure campaign that Trump has reignited since taking office, steadily escalating the pressure on Iran’s regime.

Reflecting on past actions, Bessent pointed out that a year ago, in March 2025, the president directed him to exert maximum pressure on the Iranian government, a directive the Treasury Department has effectively pursued.

He mentioned that the department has targeted Iran’s financial mechanisms, including bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, disrupting the flow of money to leaders within the regime and its government.

Bessent illustrated the pre-existing impact of Treasury actions with the example of a significant Iranian bank’s failure last year, which caused Iran’s central bank to engage in money printing, leading to increased inflation and economic decline.

The military operations that began in February marked a turning point, according to Bessent. After a series of U.S. strikes through Operation Epic Fury, the administration shifted strategies to focus on increasing financial pressure on Iran.

“We transitioned from Epic Fury to Economic Fury,” he remarked.

Now, Trump has instructed the Treasury Department to intensify that pressure even further.

“The president’s directive has elevated our efforts,” Bessent added.

He described the approach as a “one-two punch,” combining economic isolation with a sustained blockade of Iranian ports by the U.S.

“This will create a level of economic isolation unprecedented in history, alongside a continued blockade that will restrict all goods moving in or out of Iranian ports,” he stated.

His comments came at a time when senior officials in the Trump administration were elaborating on various aspects of this strategy. It includes tightening the economy, maintaining maritime pressure indefinitely, ensuring a more stable supply of energy in the Gulf, and holding significant military power in case Iran opts for escalation.

Vice President J.D. Vance articulated the broader strategy as a deliberate use of diplomatic, economic, and military power directed towards two primary objectives: halting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities and returning safety to the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize energy prices.

Vance expressed confidence in achieving a scenario where the U.S. emerges stronger, thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions while stabilizing oil and gas prices for Americans.

In response to questions about the fluctuating approach between diplomacy, military threats, and economic pressure, Vance asserted that it reflects the diverse options at Trump’s disposal.

“We’re seeing a president at the peak of his authority, utilizing various tools: diplomacy, military, economic, and more,” he said.

He emphasized that the administration is deploying these tools “very strategically and very selectively” to achieve the desired outcomes.

Army Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified the maritime strategy, stating that the Navy is prepared to maintain the blockade indefinitely, countering any notion from Tehran that it could simply wait the U.S. out.

“We can uphold this lockdown for as long as necessary,” Hegseth informed reporters while in Panama.

He elaborated that this pressure would be backed by rotating ships in the region, using the same terminology Trump used to describe the blockade.

Hegseth reiterated a strong message to Tehran, saying, “Iran understands it cannot break this blockade.”

President Trump echoed this sentiment on Wednesday, asserting that the U.S. maintains “full control” over the Strait of Hormuz and intends to keep it that way.

He reiterated that the naval blockade, described by many as a ‘steel wall,’ is a situation that Iran cannot challenge.

The Trump administration also claimed that Iran’s leverage over Hormuz is diminishing as the U.S. enhances its capability to manage Gulf energy supplies through the strait.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright described Iran’s current strategy as a “lose-lose” situation, though he acknowledged its ability to disrupt regional trade.

Wright pointed out that Iran is essentially holding the global economy hostage while trying to intimidate neighboring countries, but asserted that sustained pressure could lead to Iran’s economic collapse.

He indicated that the balance of power is gradually shifting away from Iran.

“Their ability to inflict harm is decreasing, while our capacity to escort and remove products is increasing,” he explained, noting that about 8 to 9 million barrels of oil currently flow through Hormuz, significantly higher than some previous estimates.

Wright explained that many vessels navigating the passage are under U.S. military escort, operating with their tracking systems switched off, rendering commercial tracking unreliable.

“We maintain communication and coordination with all vessels,” he stated, assuring that daily updates regarding ship movements and cargo levels are received by the government.

Alongside alternative pipelines carrying around 6 million barrels daily, Wright estimated that roughly 14 to 15 million barrels are now leaving the Arabian Gulf region, a decline from the previous 20 million barrels per day before the conflict began.

However, the Iranian government has indicated it may respond to heightened U.S. pressure with escalated actions rather than submission.

An adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that Khamenei’s strategy entails adopting an offensive stance if the U.S. does not acquiesce to Iran’s demands.

Iran’s military leadership has also refuted U.S. claims regarding control over Hormuz, labeling them as “falsehoods” and asserting that the strait is fully managed by Iranian forces.

President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran about the repercussions of challenging U.S. positions, affirming, “We have total control over the Strait of Hormuz. They have none.”

Trump expressed confidence that any further escalation from Iran would lead to their own downfall.

As the situation unfolds, it is revealing a clash of two contrasting strategies: the U.S. believes that Iran can’t sustain the long-term effects of a relentless blockade combined with growing economic isolation, while Iran threatens to escalate if the U.S. dismisses its demands.

Despite the complexities, Bessent underscored that Washington’s economic pressure is unwavering.

“We’ve shifted from Epic Fury to Economic Fury,” he concluded, indicating an intensification in the pressure exerted on Iran.