Scott Bessent Outlines Strategy to Sever Every Economic Lifeline Sustaining the Iranian Regime
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a strategy of "economic asphyxiation" to pressure the Iranian regime into submission. Following the launch of "Operation Economic Outcast" by the administration, Bessent stated that the objective is to sever every economic lifeline sustaining the regime until Tehran is left completely alone. While the Iranian leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledges the economic distress, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has taken an aggressive stance to weather the conflict. However, residents in Tehran are beginning to feel the impact of the sanctions, with long queues forming at petrol stations. Property agent Mehdi Yazdian noted that while the people are resilient, the sanctions are affecting both the financially well-off and the weak. Economist Shlomo Maoz suggests that full implementation of these sanctions could cause Iran to collapse within six to nine months if the West remains persistent. Maoz argued that the US dominance in the global financial system allows for a total strangulation of Iran's trade, potentially forcing neighboring countries like Turkey to adapt or face additional sanctions.
Sources
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Iran's gas lines are growing, but there's no sign so far that its leaders will bow to US sanctions
AP News
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Iranians queue for petrol as US blockade bites
Financial Times
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Economic sanctions on Iran causes extremist elements to strengthen
The Jerusalem Post
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Iran Fuel Shortages Spark Lines at Pumps as US Pressure Bites
Bloomberg
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US ‘economic asphyxiation’ of Iran sends Tehranites queuing for petrol
South China Morning Post