Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a stark warning to any nation doing business with Iran: align with the U.S. or face exclusion from the dollar system.
"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," Bessent said.
The statement signals Washington's willingness to weaponize dollar access as leverage in its Iran policy. Countries maintaining economic ties with Tehran now face a clear choice: trade with Iran or maintain full access to U.S. financial infrastructure—but not both.
"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," Bessent said.
The statement signals Washington's willingness to weaponize dollar access as leverage in its Iran policy. Countries maintaining economic ties with Tehran now face a clear choice: trade with Iran or maintain full access to U.S. financial infrastructure—but not both.