US Vice President JD Vance said the conflict with Iran has entered a new phase, stressing that economic pressure is the most effective tool Washington has to influence Tehran and force it to reconsider its calculations.
Speaking during an interview with The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Vance said the United States is applying economic pressure on Iran, while Tehran is attempting to exert economic pressure on Washington in return.
He added that developments over the past two weeks have demonstrated that Iran has felt significantly more pressure than the United States, stressing that Washington will continue pursuing this approach because it believes it is the best way to achieve its ultimate objectives.
Washington Seeks to Create a New Reality on the Ground
Vance said the United States is essentially seeking to create a “new reality on the ground” in its dealings with Iran, stressing the need to increase oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as one of Tehran’s most important sources of leverage.
He explained that ensuring sufficient supplies of oil and gas to ease energy-price pressures on Americans, while simultaneously penalizing Iran for attacks on commercial vessels, would create significant economic pressure on Tehran and force it to reconsider the type of agreement and relationship it wants with Washington.
Vance said Iran faces a choice between allowing its economy to remain under pressure indefinitely or seeking better relations with Western countries, noting that this has long been the choice presented to Tehran by President Donald Trump.
US Announces New Sanctions on Iran
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions against Iran on Thursday evening, targeting 21 individuals, 16 companies and 10 vessels linked to Tehran.
The department said the latest measures do not amount to the sweeping restrictions that Trump had previously threatened to impose on Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the economic measures would restrict Iran’s ability to fund and mobilize its proxies, while warning that Washington would take action against countries that continue conducting business with Tehran.
Bessent Warns US Allies
Bessent also issued a warning to US allies over Washington’s campaign to economically isolate Iran, saying the message to them was clear: “Either you are with us or against us.”
He said escalating economic sanctions against Iran could reduce the likelihood of the United States launching large-scale military operations against Tehran.
“If we apply maximum economic pressure, that probably means there will not be a return to widespread military action,” Bessent said, while stressing that the assessment applies only “for now.”
The Treasury secretary also announced that he will hold a press conference next Monday to outline in greater detail the measures Washington plans to take against Iran.
Trump Announces “Most Severe Economic Operation” Against Iran
President Donald Trump had previously announced what he described as the “most severe economic operation ever” against Iran, warning countries and institutions that provide Tehran with any form of support that they could face severe economic consequences.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had squandered the opportunity he had given it to reach an agreement, announcing the launch of what he called the “most crushing economic operation ever against any country.”
