US urges nations to cut ties with Iran, threatens retaliation

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called on global nations to completely sever economic ties with Iran, threatening U.S. retaliation against any that fail to comply. Speaking at a press conference, Bessent announced that the United States is preparing sanctions aimed at blocking all possible revenue sources for Iran. He stressed that operating in "gray areas" in the U.S.-Iran dispute is no longer acceptable.

While Bessent did not specify which countries might face sanctions, China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are Iran's largest trading partners. "Let there be no ambiguity about the U.S. position. Economic relations of any kind with this murderous regime will make those responsible for them vulnerable to the full force of American power," Bessent declared.

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Let there be no ambiguity about the U.S. position. Economic relations of any kind with this murderous regime will make those responsible for them vulnerable to the full force of American power.

Bessent also revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump has begun contacting world leaders directly, urging them to cease relations with Iran. He noted that this approach is already yielding positive results, describing the president as "quite persuasive."

Last week, the United Arab Emirates announced a halt to all trade, goods exchange, and financial transactions with Iran indefinitely. When asked if the U.S. might show leniency towards China to maintain a trade truce, Bessent responded that no one is exempt from U.S. sanctions.

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I am confident that the president, as you all know, is quite persuasive.