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US prepares sweeping sanctions to isolate Iran as currency hits record low

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Posted Sep 15, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-09-15-1330
US prepares sweeping sanctions to isolate Iran as currency hits record low
Photo: Cyprus Mail

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced upcoming sanctions targeting Iran's economy and trade partners, driving the Iranian rial to a record low.

The United States is preparing to unveil sweeping new sanctions designed to isolate Iran economically and cut off financial access for its commercial partners, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Under the proposed strategy, Washington intends to exclude foreign institutions and countries facilitating trade or money laundering for Tehran from the global US dollar system. Bessent stated that the goal is "to cut off every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime, until Tehran stands completely alone." He suggested that intensifying economic pressure could lower the likelihood of future large-scale military actions in the Middle East.

Following statements by US President Donald Trump warning of an "economic D-day," the Iranian rial fell to a record low on unregulated markets, trading at approximately 1.99 million per US dollar on Monday.

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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