The Treasury department has taken a more central role in recent weeks in the conflict, with Bessent announcing plans last week to expand sanctions on financial institutions and other entities that still do business with Iran. The US moved against United Arab Emirates branches of Egypt's second largest bank, Banque Misr, last week, but Bessent said Tuesday the US didn't want to sanction the main bank itself.

Iranian bank branches remained open in Dubai. Commercial flights also continued between Iran and Turkey as well as Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Treasury Secretary Bessent predicts 50-70% of Strait of Hormuz energy traffic will shift to pipelines within two years as Gulf states fast-track

Washington plans to announce bank sanctions against Iran this week. Oil prices increased after direct attacks and tanker incidents. Iran warned it would prevent oil exports from…