Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
US Treasury chief doubles down on economic blockade of Iran
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleIn a post on X, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the blockade of Iranian ports “directly targets the regime’s primary revenue lifelines” by constraining maritime trade.
“Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in,” Bessent says.
Kharg Island is considered the beating heart of Iran’s oil industry, through which 90% of its exports pass.
In line with previous statements about economic pressure efforts, Bessent also says Iranian funds will remain frozen and any person or vessel facilitating the flow of funds to Iran will risk US sanctions.
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