Bessent Says Either IRGC Fractures or Iran Returns to Talks

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday Iran could be driven toward a decisive internal rupture or back to negotiations, arguing that pressure on the country was narrowing the options available to its leadership.

“Either the IRGC are going to turn on each other, the people are going to turn on them, or they are going to come to the table and want a deal that they can stick with,” Bessent said.

His comments framed Washington’s approach as an attempt to constrain Iran economically and politically without making regime collapse an explicit objective.

Pressure on Tehran

Bessent said the administration was warning governments and commercial actors against maintaining ties with Iran.

“We are telling friends and foes: do not deal with this evil regime. We know who you are. You know who you are. And if we have to, we will put you out of business,” he said.

He added that the Treasury had acquired new authorities to impose sanctions across aviation, maritime activity and digital assets.

Asked about Russian backing for Tehran, Bessent delivered a broader warning.

“My message to everyone is: ‘Stay away.’”

Bessent said Iran received some supplies from Russia but did not rely on Moscow for substantial direct financial support.

He also said Washington intended to shut down Iranian airlines, which he argued would further restrict incoming supplies.

Oil and the Strait

Bessent challenged suggestions that Iran controlled maritime flows through the strait, saying about 17mn barrels of crude had passed through the previous day.

“That is not Iranian control of the strait,” he said.

He also rejected Iranian claims surrounding shipping incidents, saying there were no mines in the strait and disputing reports that two vessels had struck mines.

Bessent accused the media of rapidly amplifying Iranian claims, calling it “one of the best allies Iran has.”

He said Chinese buyers had continued purchasing Iranian crude but claimed only about 30 million barrels of Iranian oil remained on the water.

“That will run out,” he said.

Regime Collapse Not Stated Goal

Bessent said the administration was not necessarily seeking the collapse of Iran’s government, while acknowledging that internal upheaval remained possible.

“The goal here isn't necessarily to collapse the regime. It could happen; maybe the people will rise up,” he said.

He also pointed to the personal risks facing members of Iran’s leadership, including military veterans, as pressure increases.

Allies and Regional Support

Bessent said U.S. allies had offered broad assistance against Iran, including intelligence support and engagement with entities linked to Tehran.

“Many of our allies came forward and said, ‘We will do whatever is necessary,’” he said.

When asked whether continued Chinese financial support could prevent Iran from being brought to negotiations, Bessent rejected the premise, saying the framing was wrong.

He also disputed a reporter’s characterization of Iranian threats against U.S. bases.

“They are not threatening, they are doing it,” he said.

Ukraine and Energy Pressure

Bessent separately argued that negotiations remained necessary to end the war in Ukraine.

He said a resolution would remain out of reach if the sides refused to talk or if Washington was not engaged in the process.

Bessent also said the world was experiencing an energy shock, linking part of the price pressure to Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy assets.

Canada Dispute

Bessent also sharply criticized Canada’s defense spending, saying the country had moved from its historic military role to ranking near the bottom of NATO members by military spending as a share of GDP.

He accused Canada of “free riding” and placed it alongside Spain among the weakest spenders.

Bessent also claimed Canadian businesses and the military did not support Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approach, arguing that an anti-Trump and anti-American political strategy would not succeed over the longer term.

He said U.S. President Donald Trump had offered Canada what Bessent described as Washington’s most favorable trade proposal, but that Carney rejected it for political reasons.

Bessent said Canada would eventually have to return to negotiations and warned that the same terms might no longer be available.