Why Iran Fears Scott Bessent More Than Missiles: A Look at the New Financial D-Day

Iran fears US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent more than Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who argues economic pressure will force Tehran to negotiate. Waltz claims Iran can absorb missile strikes but not economic blows, especially combined with a blockade. However, history shows financial pressure rarely shifts Iran's position, except under Obama when sanctions cut oil exports from 2.2 million barrels daily to 1 million. Bessent compared the expected economic assault to D-Day in a Financial Times article, suggesting Trump must wait over a year with potential setbacks before Iran accepts US terms. Trump previously abandoned maximum pressure after 66 days when initial talks emerged.