The Israeli prime minister praised Donald Trump and Scott Bessent after Washington launched Operation Economic Outcast, targeting Iran’s financial and trade networks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed the latest US sanctions against Iran, praising President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for what he described as measures that would impose a “steep price” on Tehran and those supporting its actions. Netanyahu made the remarks shortly after Washington launched a new economic campaign aimed at cutting Iran off from international financial and commercial networks.
In a post on X, Netanyahu congratulated Trump and Bessent over the latest sanctions against the Iranian regime. He said the measures were aimed at Iran and those he accused of assisting its continued aggression.
The comments came after the US Treasury Department announced Operation Economic Outcast on August 24, describing it as a broad, government-wide campaign against Iran and entities supporting its activities. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the objective was to disrupt the financial connections and revenue streams that sustain the Iranian government.
US Expands Economic Pressure
The latest US measures target nearly 60 individuals, entities and vessels, according to reports, over alleged links to Iran’s military activities, procurement networks and petroleum and petrochemical trade. Washington has also identified five sectors that it says are being used by Iran to support its economy: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
Bessent said the Treasury had mapped networks that Iran allegedly uses to move oil and evade sanctions. He warned that US agencies would move against sources of revenue linked to the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The campaign represents an escalation in Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran. Rather than focusing only on Iranian entities, the United States is also seeking to pressure companies and other actors outside Iran that maintain business relationships with the country.
Netanyahu Supports Trump
Netanyahu's response reflects Israel's broader support for Washington's efforts to restrict Iran's economic resources. Israel has long viewed Iran's nuclear programme, missile capabilities and regional activities as major security concerns.
The Israeli prime minister's latest comments did not announce any new Israeli sanctions. Instead, they endorsed the US measures and praised the Trump administration's approach towards Tehran.
The statement also comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States, with Washington increasing economic pressure while keeping the possibility of further action open.
Iran Faces New Pressure
Bessent has framed the campaign as a choice for Tehran between continued international isolation and returning to the global economy. He said the United States wanted to cut the financial lifelines that support the Iranian regime while leaving a route open for Iran to normalise its economic relations if it changes course.
The Treasury chief also indicated that Washington was communicating with international partners and warning countries and businesses about the consequences of continuing certain dealings with Iran. Reuters reported that the US has been seeking to persuade countries and companies to reduce their business ties with Tehran or face possible sanctions.
Global Trade Impact
The expanded sanctions could have implications beyond Iran because the campaign is aimed partly at international networks involved in Iranian trade. Oil, shipping, aviation and financial transactions are particularly sensitive because restrictions on these sectors can affect companies and countries that maintain commercial links with Tehran.
The United States has previously used secondary sanctions to deter foreign businesses from dealing with Iran. The latest campaign indicates a stronger effort to enforce those measures across international networks.
For now, Netanyahu's statement adds political backing from Israel to Washington's latest economic offensive. The immediate focus will be on how Iran and other countries respond to the expanded US sanctions and whether the pressure leads to changes in Tehran's economic or diplomatic position.
