Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the upcoming sanctions against Iran as the most extensive campaign of economic isolation ever attempted. He emphasized that the U.S. will exert its full power to ensure compliance from allies and other nations, framing the situation as a binary choice of support or opposition to U.S. efforts.
President Trump has echoed these sentiments, threatening severe penalties for any country that aids Iran in evading sanctions. Despite these threats, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has downplayed the impact of U.S. sanctions, asserting that they can maintain economic relations with other countries.
Analyst Helima Croft from RBC Capital Markets noted that Iran is already one of the most sanctioned nations and questioned whether additional sanctions would effectively alter its behavior. She highlighted Iran's continued capability to disrupt shipping and infrastructure in the region, raising concerns about the potential for further conflict despite economic pressures