Experts split on whether Bessent's financial squeeze can topple Iran's regime

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an "economic onslaught" against Iran on Monday, aiming to sever all financial lifelines supporting the regime, causing the Iranian rial to plunge to an all-time low of 2.02 million per dollar. The campaign follows President Trump's commitment to an "economic D-Day" and targets Iran's struggling economy, with experts debating whether it can trigger regime change. Some analysts believe the pressure could spark domestic uprisings, while others doubt it will succeed given the regime's brutality. Iran experts note the regime faces synchronized economic and military pressure, including a U.S. naval blockade, but skeptics argue starving civilians won't lead to victory. The rial's collapse has made basic goods unaffordable for Iranians, with protests already emerging over unpaid salaries.