US to Impose 'Toughest Sanctions in History' on Iran, Bessent Says While 67 Vessels Redirected Under Naval Blockade

WASHINGTON, Aug 20: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the United States will impose the "toughest sanctions in history" on Iran, as American forces continue enforcing a naval blockade that has already redirected dozens of commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with CNBC, Bessent said Washington was "going to collapse this regime," adding that the Treasury would hold a press conference on Monday to outline the measures, which he described as coordinated economic isolation.

Bessent said "maximum economic pressure" likely meant there would be no renewed kinetic phase, and argued that oil markets were misinterpreting what the economic campaign against Tehran would actually involve.

He warned that countries continuing to do business with Tehran would face US enforcement actions. Asked whether the measures would extend to China, Bessent replied that "some conversations are better to be private," while expressing confidence that "everyone, including China," wanted to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened.

The sanctions push comes as the US military steps up its enforcement operations at sea. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday that American forces had redirected 67 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two as of August 20, to ensure compliance with the naval blockade against Iran.