Bessent Warns Iran Trade Partners to Cut Ties or Face Sanctions

Summary

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces new sectoral sanctions targeting Iran's key external lifelines: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping. He warns that entities facilitating Iranian money laundering will be removed from the U.S. dollar system. The measures also include OFAC sanctions on more than 60 entities, individuals, and vessels tied to Iranian procurement, cyber operations, and oil revenue.

• Bessent says any entity facilitating money laundering for Iran will be removed from the U.S. dollar system.
• New sectoral sanctions target Iran's use of digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping abroad.
• The measures broaden secondary sanctions risk for anyone continuing business with Iran.
• OFAC is sanctioning over 60 entities, individuals, and vessels linked to Iranian nuclear/missile procurement, cyber operations, and oil revenue.
• The campaign is described as a sustained effort to collapse Iran's remaining economic options.
• Market implication: heightened sanctions and geopolitical risk in the named sectors and Iranian oil-related trade.