US details sweeping sanctions against Iran as rial hits record low

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Posted Sep 14, 2026, 05:30 AM UTC · In the digest of 2026-09-14-0530
US details sweeping sanctions against Iran as rial hits record low
Photo: The Guardian

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced historic new sanctions against Iran, warning allies to cut economic ties with Tehran as the Iranian rial dropped to a record low.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington is preparing "the toughest sanctions in history" against Iran, aiming to isolate Tehran and cut off its financial lifelines. Speaking ahead of official briefings, Bessent stated that foreign entities facilitating money laundering or trade for Iran will be removed from the US dollar system. He urged international allies to back the campaign, adding, "You are either with us or against us."

Bessent suggested that intensified economic measures could "collapse this regime" while reducing the likelihood of future large-scale military engagements in the Middle East. The remarks follow threats from US President Donald Trump of an "ECONOMIC D-DAY" for Tehran.

In response to the escalating diplomatic and economic pressure, Iran's rial plummeted on unregulated markets to a record low of nearly 1.99 million per dollar.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, Sweden Herald, The Guardian

How outlets assessed this

    • BBC News Alarmed Highlighted the confrontation by emphasizing Washington's hardline ultimatum to collapse Iran's regime and squash its economy.
    • Cyprus Mail Cautious Framed the economic pressure strategy primarily as an alternative aimed at reducing the risk of renewed large-scale military conflict.
    • BBC News Alarmed Emphasized aggressive rhetoric targeting Iranian regime collapse and Washington's ultimatum to international allies.
    • Cyprus Mail Cautious Framed the sanctions' primary purpose as reducing the likelihood of renewed large-scale military conflict.
    • BBC News Alarmed Highlighted aggressive US ultimatums and rhetoric aimed at collapsing the Iranian regime and forcing foreign allies to choose sides.
    • Cyprus Mail Cautious Emphasized Treasury officials' positioning of economic pressure as a means to prevent renewed large-scale military conflict.
    • BBC News Alarmed Framed the sanctions around aggressive US threats to collapse Iran's regime and force international allies to take sides.
    • Cyprus Mail Cautious Highlighted the administration's argument that economic isolation could prevent further large-scale military operations.

Sources

Earlier coverage

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