The United States will not launch a military attack on Iran as long as its "maximum economic pressure" campaign is underway, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as reported by LaSexta. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over the ongoing sanctions drive.
Iranian officials have dismissed the US approach, describing the economic pressure strategy as a form of "terrorism," LaSexta reports. The characterization reflects the deep hostility between the two governments as the US intensifies its financial squeeze on the Islamic Republic.
The US has been waging an economic war against Iran for roughly six months, yet the country's economy has not been fully strangled, according to El País. Despite the aggressive sanctions regime, Iran has shown resilience, raising questions about the effectiveness of the pressure campaign.
Spanish outlet El Mundo has also cast doubt on whether the US can truly "drown" Iran economically, noting uncertainty about the impact of the new wave of restrictions. Meanwhile, LaSexta separately reports that Washington has warned its allies to pick a side in the economic confrontation, with officials saying "you are either with us or against us."
Expansión has framed the sanctions push as part of a broader new offensive strategy by former President Donald Trump, though the details of that framework remain unclear from the available reporting.
The situation suggests the US is committed to economic coercion over military force for now, but the durability of that approach remains uncertain. Observers will be watching whether Iran's economy shows further strain or whether Washington shifts tactics in the coming months.
