US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent said on Thursday that the Trump administration's move to tighten economic sanctions on Iran aims to bring about the "collapse" of the regime in Tehran.
Bissent told CNBC that the economic war Trump has threatened against Iran will be successful, saying, "We will bring this regime to its knees... This will be the greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world."
The Treasury Secretary also warned US allies that they are "either with us or against us" on the issue of economically isolating Iran, as announced by President Donald Trump.
Speaking about his message to allies, Bisent said, "We are telling them: You are either with us or against us."
Regarding whether the US will pressure China, he said, "Many conversations are best conducted privately," but he urged Beijing to "get in line with the plan."
He said the plan to escalate economic sanctions on Iran reduces the likelihood of the US resorting to large-scale military operations against Tehran. He added: "If we exert maximum economic pressure, it will most likely mean there will be no return to large-scale military action, but I emphasize that this only applies at the present time."
US Treasury Secretary: Sanctions on Iran will lead to "the collapse of the regime"
