Washington says it has a new partner in its financial war on Tehran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Friday that the EU had "officially joined" Operation Economic Outcast, the aptly named American sanctions effort to cut Iran out of the international banking system, praising the bloc for moving early.
The European Commission statement Bessent refers to, published on Monday, however, welcomes the US campaign without formally committing the EU to it.
"We appreciate their strong and early stance," the US Treasury Secretary wrote, framing the development as proof that international pressure on Iran is mounting.
Bessent added that the world was "sending a clear message to the Iranian regime" and that Washington "will not stop until every remaining financial lifeline has been severed," saying the US "stands firm with our allies in ensuring the murderous Iranian regime cannot exploit the global financial system."
