Trump's Pathways Against Iran: Intense Economic Pressure and Active Military Options

The Trump administration keeps military options on the table against Iran, even as it launches what the president called an "economic landing day" to sever Iran's financial lifeline.

This comes as Trump granted foreign commercial partners of Iran a chance to change course before broader sanctions hit them directly, according to a report by U.S. network NewsMax.

On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. administration does not rule out using military force against Iran, including potential strikes inside or near the Strait of Hormuz—of critical strategic importance.

"We absolutely do not exclude launching kinetic military strikes anywhere within the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran, which would be unable to withstand the economic pressures Washington is applying," Hegseth told reporters, according to his remarks.

The network notes in its report that the United States continues down both paths simultaneously: intensifying economic pressure on Iran while keeping the option of military action available should tensions escalate.

Hegseth's comments came alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement of the "economic exclusion operation," a sweeping campaign aimed at cutting off Iran's remaining economic lifelines and isolating the regime from the global financial system.

The network says Bessent has consistently pressured Iran's trading partners to choose between continuing economic ties with Tehran or maintaining access to the U.S.-dominated financial system.

The Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on over 60 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran on Monday, targeting activities including oil revenues, procurement related to nuclear and missile programs, and other sectors.

At the same time, Washington warned that countries and companies continuing trade with Iran could face broader secondary sanctions. However, the U.S. administration refrained on Monday from imposing those wider sanctions.

Currently, the U.S. relies on threatening such sanctions and behind-the-scenes diplomacy to convince Iran’s trading partners to shift course before these measures are enforced, according to the network.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement on its website that the administration launched the "economic exclusion" operation—a unprecedented campaign aimed at severing every remaining economic lifeline supporting Iran.

It stated, "After President Trump and the overwhelming strength of the U.S. military dismantled Iran’s military capabilities and crippled its nuclear program, America is now entering the final phase through the largest financial assault ever launched against an adversary."

Bessent commented on the campaign: "We are conducting an economic attack on Iran’s financial networks worldwide. Our goal is to cut off every economic lifeline supporting this authoritarian regime until Tehran stands alone."

The network concluded by emphasizing that the economic campaign marks a significant escalation in pressure on Tehran, combining targeted sanctions on Iranian entities with threats of severe and widespread financial measures if foreign governments and companies refuse to cooperate."