US Treasury Chief Warns of "Economic D-Day" for Iran, Likens Operation to D-Day Landings

▲ U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned in a British newspaper op-ed that countries failing to cooperate with the operation to economically isolate Iran will become a "global pariah."

British daily the Financial Times (FT) published an op-ed by Secretary Bessent on the 23rd (local time) titled "An Economic D-Day is Coming for Iran."

In the article, Secretary Bessent stated that the economic D-Day will be "the largest single financial offensive ever mobilized against a hostile nation."

He warned against complicity with such nations, pointing out that "the self-deception of frightened nations, who still believe that accommodating acts of aggression can secure a sustainable peace," has become the final refuge of the Iranian regime.

Secretary Bessent cited examples of "complicity" as purchasing and transporting Iranian oil, conducting financial and commercial transactions with Iran, allowing Iranian aircraft to land, turning a blind eye to the maritime transshipment of Iranian oil, and condoning illegal financial transactions related to Iran.

"Simply put, these countries calculate that appeasing the [Iranian] regime is the safer path. But they would do well to consider the costs of continuing to do so," he said.

In his op-ed, referencing the theological argument known as "Pascal's wager," Secretary Bessent warned that "countries continuing to fund the [Iranian] regime are now testing the limits of American patience."

"Pascal's wager" refers to a theological argument implying that, based on a logical cost-benefit analysis, believing in God is more advantageous than not believing.

Citing "Pascal's wager" in the op-ed, Secretary Bessent said, "He understood that uncertainty does not exempt individuals or nations from divine judgment. In fact, uncertainty makes it even more critical to rigorously assess risks, and the cost of error becomes much higher."

This remark can be interpreted as a warning that the United States will take extremely strong retaliatory measures equivalent to "divine judgment" against countries that fail to cooperate with U.S. economic sanctions on Iran.

Secretary Bessent warned that countries maintaining relations with Iran will see all pathways to sustainable prosperity blocked, stating, "Becoming a haven for terrorism means becoming a global pariah in the eyes of the United States."

He stated, "The Islamic Republic has survived by packaging extortion as security, fueled by the calculation that Iranian retaliation is certain and U.S. enforcement is negotiable. Under President Trump, that era is over. And those who fear the risk of confronting Tehran should not underestimate the cost of testing Washington."

He emphasized that the world must understand the U.S. goal is to sever every single economic lifeline of the Iranian regime and continue doing so until Iran is completely isolated.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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