US launches ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ against Iran FAST-MOVING

Operation Economic Outcast US sanctions Iran economy secondary sanctions Strait of Hormuz

The United States has launched ‘Operation Economic Outcast,’ a massive financial offensive aimed at severing Iran’s economic lifelines. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the campaign targets five critical sectors: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping. The initiative includes sanctions on approximately 60 entities, individuals, and vessels linked to Iran’s nuclear, missile, and oil sectors.

Bessent warned that any country or entity facilitating money laundering for Iran could be removed from the US dollar system. He also emphasized that the US would act unilaterally against nations that do not comply with the new pressure campaign. President Donald Trump is reportedly contacting world leaders to urge them to cease economic relations with Tehran.

In response to the escalating pressure, the Iranian rial has hit a historic low, exceeding 2 million rials per US dollar. The Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have expressed readiness to cooperate with the administration to face the ‘economic war,’ though Tehran has warned that any nation participating in the US-led campaign will be considered an enemy.

Amidst the economic onslaught, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the administration does not rule out military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere in Iran to ensure the country never possesses a nuclear weapon.

Entities

Donald Trump · Erfan Afazali · Fars Province · Iran · Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · Ministry of Petroleum · Mohsen Paknejad · Pete Hegseth · Scott Bessent · South Pars · South Pars/North Dome · U.S. Department of the Treasury

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] A heatwave in Europe is increasing electricity demand for cooling while reducing hydropower and nuclear energy production.
[● 3 SOURCES] European gas prices have reached a new high, exceeding 66 euros per megawatt-hour.
[● 3 SOURCES] European gas prices have increased by more than 130% since the start of the year.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are contributing to the rise in gas prices.
[DISPUTED] European gas storage levels are currently at 62%.
[● 4 SOURCES] European gas storage levels are at their lowest since data collection began in 2011.
[● 5 SOURCES] The Operator for Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration (Operator za OIEiEK) signed an agreement with EEX to establish an electronic registry for guarantees of origin in the Federation of
[● 2 SOURCES] German gas storage levels are currently at their lowest since data collection began in 2011.
[○ 1 SOURCE] European gas prices could average approximately 60 euros per megawatt-hour during the last quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.
[● 5 SOURCES] The establishment of the electronic registry for guarantees of origin in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a process in development for twelve years.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Iran maintains it can withstand the proposed economic measures and will not change its position regarding the conflict.
[● 8 SOURCES] Donald Trump has announced an unprecedented economic warfare operation against Iran, termed an ‘economic D-Day’.