'Stay away from Iran': US warns countries & companies as war escalates

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has warned countries and businesses against supporting Iran, saying Washington is considering sanctions targeting airlines, maritime activity and digital assets as Washington expands its economic pressure campaign amid escalating hostilities.“We’re having fulsome talks with anyone supporting Iran,” Bessent said in an interview with Fox News, adding that Washington would “systematically take out bad actors.”Speaking on potential targets for further sanctions, Bessent pointed to airlines, maritime activity and digital assets, indicating that the US pressure campaign could extend beyond traditional banking and oil measures.“No one should support this regime,” he said. “My message to everyone is to stay away.”The warning comes as the Trump administration pushes its Operation Economic Outcast campaign, seeking to pressure Iran's remaining trading and financial partners to choose between doing business with Tehran and retaining access to the US financial system.The latest escalation follows a monthlong lull in fighting. Iran fired on US allies in the Gulf early Wednesday after a night of American bombardment, which Iranian officials said included a deadly strike on a wedding party.Fighting intensified after the US military struck Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran planned to use them to deploy mines in the waterway. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on US bases in Jordan, which were intercepted.Iran also launched drones at Kuwait, while the UAE and Bahrain reported intercepting incoming Iranian attacks. In Iraq, Kurdish authorities said they intercepted 10 explosive-laden drones near Irbil.Get the latest Business News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.