Scott Bessent Threatens Economic D-Day for Iran

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced a strategic pivot from military action to an economic war against Iran. Speaking at a G20 gathering in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 1, Bessent declared that an "economic D-Day is coming for Iran" and warned of severe consequences for any nations continuing to trade with Tehran. He further claimed the Strait of Hormuz would become "a worthless piece of water" within two years as oil transport shifts toward overland pipelines.

This economic escalation follows a U.S. military attack on Iran on February 28, 2026. The strike has drawn sharp criticism from observers such as political scientist John J. Mearsheimer, who described the operation as one of the greatest blunders in the history of U.S. foreign policy.

As the United States intensifies its pressure, regional powers are diversifying their partnerships. On September 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Egypt, where he urged Middle Eastern nations to oppose external interference and manage their own affairs.