Tehran is the target—but its facilitators and friends are caught in the crosshairs. On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the start of Operation Economic Outcast, a suite of sanctions, economic tools, and enforcement actions intended “to sever every remaining economic lifeline sustaining” the Iranian regime. In his remarks, Bessent compared the effort to D-Day during World War II.
Will it isolate Iran? Who is extending these lifelines? And how might Iranian forces retaliate? Below, Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the news.
Click to jump to an expert analysis:
Daniel Fried: It’s not nothing, but it’s no D-Day
Maia Nikoladze: Beijing is the biggest question
