U.S. TIGHTENS PRESSURE: Bessent Promises Unprecedented Economic Isolation Of Iran As Vance Lays Out War Goals

The Trump administration is preparing new economic measures against Iran that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized as unprecedented. Speaking on Newsmax Thursday, Bessent stated, "Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country." He said the effort would combine economic isolation with an ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent goods from moving in or out of Iranian ports.

Vice President JD Vance outlined two central U.S. Objectives on Fox News: keeping global energy prices stable and ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. Vance said the administration has diplomatic, military, and economic tools at its disposal and is deploying them selectively. "You're seeing a President of the United States at the height of his authority with a lot of tools, diplomatic, military, and economic," He said, noting they are being used "very selectively, very strategically" To achieve the outcome President Trump wants.

Vance identified the first priority as ensuring Gulf countries can continue supplying oil and gas globally to keep energy costs affordable for Americans, noting oil prices had fallen from earlier highs. The second is preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capability. "I feel confident we're accomplishing both of those goals," Vance said, while acknowledging the situation remains unpredictable because Iran does not always honor commitments.

President Trump has suggested the possibility of further escalation remains open. When asked whether major escalation was still possible, Trump responded, "You'll find out," And added, "Well, we certainly have that ability if we want to do that. You'll find out." Subsequently, Trump said the United States was in a strong position and asserted it had "total control" Over the Strait of Hormuz, stating Iran was no longer the dominant regional power it had been for decades.