Sanctions or missiles? Why Gulf may not relish Trump’s new Iran approach
Nearly six months since the United States and Israel launched the first missiles in their war on Iran, Washington is pivoting to a strategy of tougher sanctions and economic isolation in a bid to force Tehran to accept its terms for a peace deal. On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast”, targeting Tehran’s remaining sources of revenue while also threatening penalties against those who continue doing business with Iran.

Why It Matters
This story touches on iran, sanctions, gulf — topics readers are actively tracking. Review and add editorial context before publishing.
Key Facts
- Fact 1: The Treasury imposed specific sanctions on 60 entities, vessels and individuals across the UAE, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Switzerland, accusing them of facilitating Iranian trade.
- Fact 2: That, Khoshcheschm noted, failed – ending with Trump withdrawing the US from the agreement instead in 2018.
Nearly six months since the United States and Israel launched the first missiles in their war on Iran, Washington is pivoting to a strategy of tougher sanctions and economic isolation in a bid to force Tehran to accept its terms for a peace deal. On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast”, targeting Tehran’s remaining sources of revenue while also threatening penalties against those who continue doing business with Iran.
What to expect in elections in South Carolina, Georgia and Oklahoma Israeli forces raid UNRWA training centre in occupied East Jerusalem ‘We can’t breathe’: Indonesians battle wildfire haze Two killed, refinery on fire in Russia’s Krasnodar after drone attack Bessent described the latest wave of sanctions as “the single greatest financial offensive ever” against Iran, and warned that banks and businesses would share in Iran’s isolation if they refuse to cooperate. “No one is above the reach of US sanctions,” he told reporters. Gulf states have repeatedly found themselves caught in the crosshairs during the US-Iran war as Iran has targeted US military assets and infrastructure in neighbouring countries.
(Original synthesis pending human/AI review — generated by the stub provider by selecting real sentences from the source material, not by writing new analysis or commentary.)
Original source: Al Jazeera
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