Yesterday, Bessent posted on X: "The U.S. Treasury will continue its 'economic fury campaign' against Iran, including cutting off landing, refueling, and ticketing channels for Iranian airlines. Currently, Iran's military personnel are not receiving salaries, police are not on duty, and Khark Island has already been closed. Iran's economy and currency are rapidly collapsing. The Strait of Hormuz Authority is 'a joke,' and the U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on it. The U.S. warns any enterprise or national entity not to pay toll fees or disguise them as aid. America's maritime blockade has reduced Iran’s oil shipments to historic lows. This vicious cycle can only be broken if negotiations yield satisfactory results."
[Clever] A few comments: The U.S.'s 'economic fury campaign' against Iran essentially follows the familiar tactic of pushing maximum pressure by using sanctions as bargaining chips in negotiations. Bessent’s latest remarks—cutting off Iranian airline access, blocking oil transport—tighten the economic noose step by step, aiming to force Iran into full concessions during nuclear talks. Looking back historically, U.S. sanctions against Iran have persisted for over 40 years since the 1979 hostage crisis. After withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018, these sanctions have only intensified further. Today, Iran faces soaring inflation, severe currency devaluation, and oil exports reduced to record lows—clear signs of severe economic strain.
But pressure rarely leads to genuine compromise. Iran has stubbornly resisted through land routes and barter trade, turning negotiations into a battle of endurance—essentially a test of who can withstand longer. By pushing economic measures to the extreme, the U.S. appears to hold the upper hand, but in reality, it has driven talks into a narrow path: either total victory or complete collapse. An impasse remains likely in the short term.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866485563271168/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.