What did Scott Bessent say the United States plans to do to Iran next week?

He said the U.S. is preparing new measures that would amount to economic isolation like the world has never seen before. He described the plan as combining financial pressure with a blockade that would restrict access to Iranian ports.

Why did JD Vance say the U.S. priority in the Iran war is focused on oil and gasoline prices?

Vance said the main goal is to bring down fuel costs for Americans, with preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon ranking second. His comments frame the administration’s approach as balancing economic concerns at home with security concerns over Iran.

What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz blockade in the U.S. approach to Iran?

Bessent said the blockade would stop goods from entering or leaving Iranian ports, making it part of a broader effort to isolate Iran economically. He also contrasted his new warning with earlier comments on Aug. 4, when he suggested an agreement to reopen the strait could be reached within days.

US threatens Iran with 'economic isolation, like the world has never seen'

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Summary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened Thursday to impose on Iran economic isolation like the world has never seen before, saying new measures are expected next week. He said the approach would combine financial pressure with a continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President JD Vance said the top U.S. priority is lowering oil and gasoline prices for Americans, with preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon now second.

Key Facts

Bessent said the U.S. would use a two-pronged approach of financial pressure and a physical blockade of Iranian ports.
He said the continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would keep anything from going in or out of Iranian ports.
Bessent said viewers should watch for more announcements coming next week.
Vance said lowering oil and gasoline prices for Americans is the top U.S. priority in the Iran war.

By AFP

Published Aug 14, 2026 3:42 pm KST

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attends a media interview at the White House in Washington, July 30. Reuters-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened Thursday to subject Iran to economic isolation "like the world has never seen before," adding that new measures are expected next week.

"It will be a combination of economic isolation, like the world has never seen before," Bessent told conservative television network Newsmax, adding that "the continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz ... will keep anything from going in or out of the Iranian ports."

"Watch this space for more announcements coming next week," he said.

Bessent described a two-pronged approach featuring financial pressure and a physical blockade of the ports.

Vice President JD Vance said earlier that the top U.S. priority in the Iran war was bringing oil and gasoline prices down for Americans, with preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon now ranking second.

The tougher stance contrasts with remarks by Bessent on Aug. 4, when he told CNBC that an agreement with Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached within days.

Those comments sent Wall Street higher and oil prices lower.

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