US and Iran Trade Barbs Over New Sanctions Push

The US and Iran exchanged sharp rhetoric Tuesday over Washington's new sanctions push, with Tehran dismissing the threats as ineffective. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced "Operation Economic Outcast" to cut Iran's financial links, while Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the US warnings "bombast." Bessent said the campaign targets networks Iran uses to smuggle oil and evade sanctions, aiming to block revenue funding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He urged ordinary Iranian soldiers to question their leadership, referencing the Berlin Wall's fall. Ghalibaf countered that Iran's trading partners are ignoring US statements, asserting Washington lacks the economic position to further restrict ties. The exchange follows Bessent's op-ed warning of an "economic D-Day" for Iran and aligns with President Donald Trump's push for greater pressure while seeking negotiations. Bessent framed Iran's choice as complete isolation or rejoining the global economy, amid ongoing US efforts to limit Tehran's access to international financial systems.