Scott Bessent stated that the United States is significantly increasing economic pressure on Iran through a coordinated strategy aimed at weakening the country’s leadership.

Speaking during a television interview, Bessent explained that the effort builds on a “maximum pressure” directive issued by Donald Trump earlier this year. He noted that the Treasury Department was recently instructed to expand its role through a new initiative designed to complement ongoing military operations.

According to Bessent, the strategy involves a broad, government-wide approach to restrict financial flows and limit the regime’s ability to fund its activities. “This is a comprehensive economic campaign,” he said, emphasizing that multiple agencies are working together to apply sustained pressure.

As part of the effort, U.S. authorities are targeting financial networks that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s elite military force. Bessent accused the organization of corruption and said the U.S. is actively tracking and restricting assets linked to it. He added that any recovered funds would ultimately benefit the Iranian people.

Tensions have also extended to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. Both Iran and the United States have imposed restrictions on maritime traffic connected to the region, while diplomatic efforts continue amid a fragile ceasefire.

Bessent stressed that the administration’s priority is to limit the regime’s financial capabilities while maintaining pressure through coordinated economic and security measures.