US Launches Operation Economic Outcast to Isolate Iran Through Expanded Secondary Sanctions

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on August 24, 2026, the launch of Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign of expanded secondary sanctions intended to sever remaining economic lifelines of the Iranian regime.

Bessent described the effort as an unprecedented financial offensive. He said the Treasury had mapped every node, facilitator and network used by Iran to smuggle oil and evade prior sanctions. The operation targets five sectors that Iran exploits abroad: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Secondary sanctions risk now applies more broadly to any entity or country continuing business in those areas with Iran.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control simultaneously sanctioned more than 60 entities, individuals and vessels accused of enabling Iran to procure nuclear and missile technology, conduct cyber operations and generate oil revenue. Bessent stated that any facilitation of money laundering on behalf of Iran would result in removal from the US dollar system.

President Donald Trump directed the campaign. Bessent said the president was contacting world leaders to urge them to cut ties with Iran. He declined to name specific countries or set public deadlines, stating only that the United States does not have infinite patience. China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, was not singled out by name, though Bessent affirmed that no one is above the reach of US sanctions.

The announcement follows earlier military pressure and a naval blockade that have already strained Iran’s economy. Bessent framed the choice for Tehran as complete global isolation or a path back to normal economic relations. He compared the launch to the Allied campaign after D-Day, calling it an economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections worldwide.

Iranian officials have previously rejected such pressure and accused the United States of seeking internal unrest. The new measures expand the categories already subject to secondary sanctions and accelerate enforcement against enablers. Further announcements on financial institutions, aviation links and gold and digital currency trade were indicated as forthcoming.

The campaign aims to maintain a zero-leakage approach until the regime stands alone, according to Bessent. Its practical effect will depend on compliance by third countries and the willingness of global firms to forgo Iranian-related business under threat of dollar-system exclusion.