US launches 'Operation Economic Pariah' to isolate Iran financially

The United States announced Monday the launch of "Operation Economic Pariah," a broad campaign to fully isolate Iran from the global financial system. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made the announcement at a Washington press conference. Bessent stated the operation aims to "cut every economic artery supporting this tyrannical regime, leaving Tehran isolated." The unprecedented sanctions target Iran's aviation, shipping, gold, technology, and digital asset sectors. He warned that any entity assisting Iran with money laundering would be permanently excluded from the dollar system. Bessent predicted a major announcement regarding sanctions on a financial institution by week's end. President Trump recently claimed Iran faces 350 percent inflation and can no longer pay its security forces' salaries.