Full Breakdown
U.S. Treasury Announces Weekly “Financial Violence” Sanctions Against Iran
9/1/2026, 6:12:12 AM
New Weekly Secondary Sanctions Target Iran
The U.S. Treasury, led by Treasury chief Scott Bessent, announced a plan to impose new secondary sanctions on entities that facilitate Iranian financial activity on a weekly basis. Bessent said the United States will urge G20 officials to sever economic links with Iran, emphasizing that “there can be no leakage” and that partners must choose between the United States and Iran.
Context of Recent Military Exchanges
The sanctions push follows the first exchange of strikes between U.S. and Iranian forces since late July. The United States struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, alleging that Iran was preparing to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the waterway that carries roughly 20 % of global crude-oil trade. Tehran reported several soldiers and civilians killed in the attack. In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed “significant damage” to two U.S. military bases in Jordan.
Treasury’s Strategy and Official Remarks
Bessent told reporters that the weekly sanctions are part of “Operation Economic Outcast,” a campaign launched earlier this month by the administration of President Donald Trump to isolate Iran financially. He indicated that an unidentified bank would be targeted in the first week and that the Treasury would continue to add sanctions “every week.” The Treasury also cited a recent action against the UAE operations of Banque Misr, Egypt’s second-largest bank, alleging that its Emirati branches processed about $1.8 billion for companies tied to Iran’s shadow-banking network between January 2024 and June 2026.
Financial Impact and International Reactions
U.S. officials argue that the secondary-sanctions approach will pressure Iran’s largest trading partner, China, which has opposed the measures and defended its trade with Tehran as lawful. Russia has also rejected the U.S. pressure campaign. The Treasury’s warnings to foreign banks aim to prevent “leakage” of Iranian funds into the global financial system, signaling that institutions that continue such dealings could face exclusion from U.S. dollar markets.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You’re either with us or you’re with the Iranians.” — Scott Bessent, Treasury chief “You’re either with us or you’re with the Iranians.” — Scott Bessent, treasury chief
