Besent: First, offer Iran a sweet treat; then, slap them anytime.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking to Fox News, discussed Iran's oil sanctions: "We want them to taste the sweetness of lifted sanctions, and then we can tighten them again at any moment."
Reporter: Some people have concerns about Iran’s oil sanctions. For years, Iranians could have freely sold their oil on open markets without these sanctions. What would you say to those worried that Iranians might enjoy the benefits before fulfilling their commitments?
Bessent: Well, first, two points need clarification, Brett. First, Iranians have actually been selling oil all along—just not to Western markets, but rather to China, and only at discounted prices. Second, the so-called "sweet treat" we're talking about? We can take it back anytime. We want them to understand what it feels like to live comfortably when sanctions are temporarily lifted—and then we can reimpose them at any time. However, their economy is clearly suffering severe damage. Extremely serious. Massive losses.
Bessent’s statement—“give them a sweet treat, then slap them”—clearly outlines America’s current strategy toward Iran: using targeted sanction exemptions as bargaining chips, maintaining high-pressure deterrence while forcing Iran to make substantive concessions on core issues such as nuclear matters and regional security.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868938838606860/
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