US announces unprecedented sanctions and blockade against Iran

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that the United States will implement “unprecedented” measures to further isolate Iran. The strategy aims to completely stifle Tehran’s remaining financial flows and impose a total naval blockade on its ports to prevent the movement of goods and vessels.

The proposed economic and military-hybrid siege includes targeting financial intermediaries, such as exchange houses in Dubai, Turkey, and Oman, which facilitate payments via gold and cryptocurrencies. Recent actions have already allowed for the freezing of approximately $500 billion in cryptocurrency linked to Iran.

On the maritime front, the administration intends to use advanced artificial intelligence to track insurance policies and vessel charters. This digital and insurance-based blockade aims to prevent any shipowner from engaging with Iranian ports. While previous sanctions targeted oil and central banks, these new measures seek to close remaining loopholes in the international financial system.