Scott Bessent

Bipartisan House group warns PA fiscal collapse could strengthen Hamas, Iran-backed groups

In a letter to Rubio and Bessent, US lawmakers said a fiscal crisis weakening the PA would create “exactly the kind of vacuum” Hamas and other Iran-backed actors seek.

The Palestinian Authority Security Forces have expanded significantly since the Oslo Accords, becoming a central focus of debate over security and governance in the West Bank.
A security personnel stands guard as Iranians take part in a protest marking the annual al-Quds Day, on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, March 13, 2026

Military, economic pressure on Iran may lead to internal uprising, US officials say

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference, as finance ministers and central bank governors from G20 countries meet in Asheville, North Carolina, US, September 1, 2026.

Bessent: Iran in 'death throes,' US allies will support efforts to economically 'asphyxiate' IRGC

An illustration of silhouettes of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin over a background of their countries flags.

Russia, US see grounds for financial ties, Russian finance minister says following G20 meeting


Bessent expects new US secondary sanctions weekly, aiming to increase pressure on Iran

"You're going to see a lot more of these every week," Bessent said ahead of a Group of 20 finance leaders meeting. "We're starting with the banks, and we're telling the banks it's not okay to have Ir

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stands behind U.S. President Donald Trump who speaks to the media on the day of a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.

US Treasury revokes 'critical node' of Iranian access to US dollars in latest Tehran sanctions

The new sanctions come two days after the Treasury cracked down on what it called “far-left terrorist networks.”

Signage is seen at the United States Department of the Treasury headquarters in Washington, DC, US, August 29, 2020.

Strategy or physical withdrawal: What does Washington’s shift from airstrikes to sanctions signify?

Despite the apparent success of the US’s blockade and sanctions campaign, Iranian officials have repeatedly expressed that they would not falter in maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to the media with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent behind him, on the day of a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.

Iran economic sanctions leading to extremist regime elements gaining power, dissident says - report

"Under President Trump, the Treasury Department will continue to cut off every economic lifeline sustaining this regime, until Tehran is left completely alone," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent takes questions from reporters as he speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC on August 24, 2026. Bessent, in a column for the Financial Times, declared that an "economic D-Day" had begun against Tehran on Monday.

US can still strike Hormuz targets, Hegseth warns as 'Economic D-Day' takes aim at Iran's economy

"By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran," Hegseth told reporters.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on US President Donald Trump's FY2027 budget request for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, April 30, 2026.

US Treasury announces 'Operation Economic Outcast' on Iran following warning of 'economic D-Day'

"It is now a time for world leaders to make a decision between prosperity and isolation, peace and terror, America and Iran," declared US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces a new set of sanctions against Iran, describing them as "an economic D-Day", in the Cash Room at the Treasury Department on August 24, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Treasury Secretary Bessent says US entering 'endgame' with Iran, will sever economic lifelines

"Any remaining tie to Tehran will hasten the economic ostracism of countries and entities, whether that tie be purposefully constructed or wilfully ignored."

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, DC, US, August 20, 2026.

Trump says Iran 'would love' to make a deal with the US but isn't prepared to make the right one

Trump also said that the US had total control over the "entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz."

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, August 7, 2026

Treasury Secretary Bessent says US will 'squash' Iranian economy, collapse 'murderous regime'

"I see lots of reports that said, 'oh, well, this has never worked.' It does work, because we have a combination. It is a one-two punch," Bessent said.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stands behind U.S. President Donald Trump who speaks to the media on the day of a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.

US hits Hezbollah with fresh sanctions, emphasizing ties to Iranian government

The Treasury Department redesignated the group "for service to the Iranian regime under the command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force," according to a statement.

Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah wave flags while commemorating Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, May 25, 2026.