US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth clarified on Monday that the Trump administration is not ruling out using military force against Iran, even after Washington unveiled new economic sanctions against Tehran.
“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran," Hegseth told reporters.
He further stated that Iran cannot handle the economic pressure being put on it.
Hegseth’s comments came hours after US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the launch of “Operation Economic Outcast," which he described as an unprecedented US campaign aimed at isolating Iran economically and cutting off the sources of revenue available to the Iranian regime.
Comparing the launch of the campaign to the beginning of the Allied campaign following D-Day during the Second World War, Bessent stated, “Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran's financial connections around the globe."
“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone," he added.
The Treasury Secretary also issued a warning to countries and entities that continue to facilitate Iranian economic activity, including through petroleum purchases and transportation, exchange houses, free trade zones, aviation, shipping, banking, and fuel transfers.
“The President is making phone calls to world leaders with specific requests to cease their interactions with the regime," Bessent said, adding that US officials were already seeing results," said Bessent.
“Those who stand with the United States will reap the rewards of our partnership. Those who tether themselves to the Iranian regime should expect to share in the isolation of a withering regime," he stated.
Bessent's announcement followed Trump's declaration last Wednesday of a sweeping new economic campaign against Iran. In a Truth Social post, the president described the effort as "an economic D-Day" and warned countries providing economic assistance to Tehran that they would face consequences.
"These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON," he wrote.