In a major escalation of economic pressure on the Islamic Republic, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced today that the United States has initiated a “comprehensive sanctions campaign” targeting the entirety of Iran’s oil supply chain—from extraction to sale and financial settlement.
“Treasury has launched a comprehensive sanctions campaign, targeting every stage of Iran’s oil supply chain, from extraction to sale and financial settlement,” Bessent said in a statement released from Washington.
This marks one of the most aggressive moves by the United States in years to cripple Iran’s primary revenue stream, which directly funds its military buildup, nuclear program, and its regional terror network—including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iranian proxies.
Strategic Targeting of Iran’s War Machine
The announcement follows months of coordinated Iranian proxy attacks on Israel and global shipping routes, and comes on the heels of Iran’s continued defiance of international nuclear agreements. Intelligence reports have confirmed that Iran continues to use oil revenues to finance weapons transfers, terrorist training camps, and drone production used against Israeli and U.S. assets across the region.
By targeting the entire supply chain, the Treasury’s plan aims to disrupt not just oil exports, but the financial pipelines that allow Iran to convert crude into cash through shadowy intermediaries and illicit banking networks.
The Biden administration had previously faced criticism for what many perceived as lax enforcement of oil sanctions against Iran, particularly during the 2023–2024 period of heightened nuclear negotiations. The appointment of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary under President Trump in 2025 signaled a return to hardline economic warfare against the Iranian regime.
Today’s announcement reinforces that approach.
The campaign will reportedly include:
- Sanctions on shipping companies, tankers, and refineries operating in cooperation with Iran.
- Penalties on banks and financial institutions facilitating payments for Iranian crude.
- Legal action against front companies and international brokers tied to Iran’s black-market oil trade.
Israel Welcomes the Move
Israeli officials have long called for tougher action against Iranian oil sales, which fund not only Iran’s internal repression but also its sprawling regional aggression.
“Every barrel of Iranian oil fuels a missile aimed at Israeli civilians,” one Israeli security source told The Middle East Observer. “Cutting off that funding is not just economic policy—it’s self-defense.”
As Iran doubles down on its nuclear advancement and terror sponsorship, the U.S. is making clear that economic warfare is back on the table—with real consequences. Secretary Bessent’s sanctions campaign marks a decisive return to pressure-based deterrence. Whether Tehran heeds the message remains to be seen.
