- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier Tuesday that Iran would immediately return to a June memorandum of understanding if the United States resumed its commitments.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration's economic pressure campaign against Iran is succeeding, backed by military strikes and a blockade.
- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that Tehran would respond militarily if the U.S. intensifies its siege, stating, "If the U.S. siege is intensified, we will definitely respond militarily."
- Bessent said the sanctions are contributing to a collapse in Iran's currency, which has fallen from roughly 800,000 rials to the dollar to more than 2 million.
- Bessent stated that the administration's goal is to economically and force Tehran back to the negotiating table, and that kinetic strikes, sanctions, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade have been a crippling trifecta on Iran.
- Bessent mentioned that the administration recently used a previously untested Patriot Act authority against a Dubai branch of an Egyptian bank that allegedly funneled more than $1.8 billion to the Iranian regime.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran would revert to a June memorandum if the U.S. resumes its commitments. This comes amid escalating tensions, as Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned of military retaliation if U.S. sanctions intensify.13
Qalibaf emphasized, “If the U.S. siege is intensified, we will definitely respond militarily,” asserting that if oil exports from the Persian Gulf are obstructed, “no one will be able to export oil.” This rhetoric reflects Iran's defiance against U.S. pressure.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the Trump administration's economic pressure is effective due to military actions and a blockade, stating, “When everyone says, well, sanctions don’t work: I can tell you sanctions plus the blockade work.” He highlighted that sanctions have led to a significant collapse of Iran's currency, which has plummeted from approximately 800,000 rials to over 2 million rials per dollar.24567
Bessent also mentioned that the administration aims to force Tehran back to negotiations through a combination of sanctions and military pressure, indicating that “kinetic” strikes and sanctions have created a crippling trifecta on Iran.
The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of diplomacy and military posturing in the region.
“Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said sanctions plus the blockade are working, with Iran's currency collapsing from 800,000 to over 2 million rials per dollar. He also warned of new sanctions this week and next, targeting Iranian banks.”
Fox News
