Politics1 min read

US Treasury chief claims Iran 'running out of' economic lifelines

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Sanctions enforced under Operation Economic Outcast are actively eroding the Iranian government's financial stability and straining its regional proxies. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that Tehran faces severe obstacles moving capital internationally, leaving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struggling to pay its own troops. Washington is leveraging these financial barriers to restrict Tehran's ability to subsidize groups like the Houthis, Hamas, and Hizballah. The United States intends to maintain these measures to prevent Iran from continuing to finance regional campaigns of terror.

Key points

  • American sanctions aim to eliminate Iran's financial capacity to support militant groups…: American sanctions aim to eliminate Iran's financial capacity to support militant groups including Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis.
  • Operation Economic Outcast has begun crippling the operational funding of Iran's elite mi…: Operation Economic Outcast has begun crippling the operational funding of Iran's elite military divisions.
  • Washington remains determined to stop Tehran from using its remaining capital to finance…: Washington remains determined to stop Tehran from using its remaining capital to finance regional campaigns of terror.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that Iran is "running out of" economic lifelines amid Washington's sanctions on Tehran.

"Under Operation Economic Outcast, Iran’s regime is running out of lifelines, and its proxies are feeling the pressure," he said in a post on X.

He further claimed that the country is "struggling to move money, while the IRGC is reportedly failing to pay its own troops".

"We are cutting the regime’s ability to fund the Houthis, Hamas, and Hizballah. We will not allow Tehran to continue financing their campaign of terror," Bessent added.

Under Operation Economic Outcast, Iran’s regime is running out of lifelines, and its proxies are feeling the pressure. Tehran is struggling to move money, while the IRGC is reportedly failing to pay its own troops. We are cutting the regime’s ability to fund the Houthis, Hamas, and Hizballah. We will not allow Tehran to continue financing their campaign of terror.

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) October 30, 2026

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