US Pressures Allies to Join Iran Sanctions... Iran Responds with Protest Against "Economic Terrorism"

[Anchor]

The United States has declared massive economic pressure on Iran. The plan is to completely cut off Iran's financial lifeline by mobilizing all allies, including South Korea.

Reporting from Washington, this is Jeon Byeong-nam.

[Reporter]

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the US will "economically choke Iran by simultaneously using a naval blockade and the strongest economic sanctions in history."

Bessent said, "We will pursue the most strongly coordinated economic isolation in world history alongside all friendly nations," adding, "It is time for our allies and the world to make a decision."

This marks strong pressure on allies and friendly nations, including South Korea, to join the efforts.

Regarding China, he also pointed out that "it gets 50 percent of its energy from the Gulf region" and urged Beijing to align with the sanctions.

However, he noted that the likelihood of escalation has decreased due to the implementation of large-scale economic sanctions, while also leaving room for future situation changes.

Bessent explained that specific details of the plan for economic pressure on Iran will be unveiled on the 24th, US time.

Bessent's remarks came just hours after US President Donald Trump stated, "We are launching the most destructive economic operation that no country in history has ever undertaken."

This measure is interpreted as an intention to exacerbate Iran's economic hardships and extract concessions from Tehran regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations.

Meanwhile, the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which departed from the Pacific, has arrived in the Middle East and commenced operations.

Iran pushed back, calling the US economic sanctions "economic terrorism" and an "inhumane crime" targeting the Iranian people.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, "The US is repeating a policy that has already failed," and added, "We will respond by mobilizing all national means."

(Video filming: Park Eun-ha, Video editing: Jeong Yong-hwa, Design: Kim Na-mi)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.