US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent strongly pressured allies to join a sweeping economic pressure campaign aimed at collapsing the Iranian regime, local time on the 20th.

In an interview with CNBC that day, Secretary Bessent announced that he would hold a press conference next Monday, the 24th, to reveal the details of the economic pressure plan against Iran, stating that it would collapse the Iranian regime.

"This will be the most powerfully coordinated economic isolation (operation) in world history," Bessent added, saying, "(We will go to our allies and) tell them they are either with us or against us."

This implies that the US intends to demand a binary choice, meaning countries must either cooperate with the United States or turn their backs on it.

While noting that the possibility of a large-scale escalation of conflict with Iran is small due to the implementation of massive economic sanctions, Bessent left room for potential changes in future circumstances.

He emphasized that the likelihood of major military action is low through a campaign of maximum economic pressure, adding, "I will emphasize that is the case for now."

This effectively pressured Iran by implying that while current efforts focus on economic sanctions, military strikes could be resumed depending on how the situation unfolds.

The previous day, President Donald Trump announced that the US would launch an 'economic isolation' campaign against Iran on an unprecedented scale, demanding cooperation from third countries.

This is interpreted as an effort to cut off Iran's funding sources broadly by imposing economic penalties on nations trading with Iran, thereby worsening Iran's economic hardships and forcing concessions on the issues of the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program.

(Photo: Getty Images)