Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to hold a major press conference Monday as the Trump administration prepares to unveil additional economic measures against Iran and pressure countries that continue doing business with Tehran. Bessent has already described the coming sanctions as the “toughest sanctions in history,” signaling a potentially sweeping expansion of Washington’s economic campaign. Reuters reported that the administration is considering measures aimed not only at Iran but also at foreign governments and companies that continue providing Tehran with commercial lifelines.

Bessent has issued an unusually blunt warning to countries that maintain economic ties with Iran. “Any remaining tie to Tehran will hasten a nation's economic oblivion, whether that tie be purposefully constructed or willfully ignored,” he wrote, making clear that Washington intends to scrutinize transactions involving Iranian oil, money transfers and shipping. He has also warned that countries choosing to continue such business could face the full enforcement power of the U.S. Treasury and government.

The administration’s strategy could have significant consequences for major trading partners, particularly China, which remains one of Iran’s most important oil customers. Bessent has urged countries to choose between cooperating with Washington’s effort to isolate Tehran or continuing commercial relationships that could expose them to American sanctions. The potential use of secondary sanctions raises the stakes considerably because companies and financial institutions outside Iran could face restrictions for maintaining prohibited dealings with Tehran.

The announcement comes as the United States seeks to increase economic pressure without necessarily returning immediately to large-scale military operations. Bessent has characterized the campaign as a combination of a blockade and sanctions designed to put extraordinary pressure on Iran’s economy and ultimately force major changes in Tehran. Iran, meanwhile, has condemned the planned measures and warned that further economic pressure could provoke a serious confrontation, ensuring that Monday’s announcement will be closely watched well beyond Washington and Tehran.

The biggest question now is how far the administration will go—and which countries or companies could find themselves in Washington’s crosshairs. If Bessent follows through on his warnings, Monday could mark a major escalation in the Trump administration’s economic campaign against Iran, with consequences reaching far beyond the Iranian economy. The details of the sanctions package will determine whether the announcement becomes another round of pressure on Tehran or the beginning of a much broader economic showdown involving Iran’s international partners.