US Treasury Secretary signals shift to economic isolation of Iran

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced a shift in Washington’s approach toward Tehran, emphasizing a strategy of heightened economic isolation. Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, Yellen said the United States will intensify efforts to cut off Iran’s access to the global financial system and limit its ability to engage in international trade, marking a departure from earlier diplomatic overtures aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.

The new direction builds on a series of sanctions imposed over the past decade, but Yellen indicated that future measures will target a broader range of economic activities, including oil exports, banking services, and technology transfers. Officials noted that the policy aims to pressure Iran to comply with existing nuclear agreements and regional stability commitments, while coordinating with allied nations to ensure consistent enforcement. The Treasury Department plans to work with the Office of Foreign Assets Control to identify additional entities and individuals for designation, signaling a more aggressive use of financial tools in U.S. foreign policy.