WASHINGTON — US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent yesterday laid out plans for the “economic asphyxiation” of Iran, expanding Washington’s secondary sanctions threats and warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the campaign.

The announcement comes almost six months into a war on Iran that has ground to a stalemate, with stalled peace talks and Tehran blocking most traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

“Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent told journalists.

“We are going to hold everyone accountable, and this is economic asphyxiation of this regime,” he said, adding that countries not joining US sanctions would “share” in Iran’s isolation.

President Donald Trump was making phone calls to world leaders with requests to stop interactions with Tehran, Bessent said.

The Treasury Department said expanded secondary sanctions would target Iran’s digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping sectors.

It also issued new sanctions against 60 individuals, companies and vessels that allegedly aid Iran in oil revenue generation, weapons procurement and cyber operations.

The sanctions hit entities around the world, including in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and in Europe.

Bessent vowed that any entity “that facilitates money laundering on behalf of Iran will be removed from the US dollar system.”

Iran was dismissive of the threat and predicted “another defeat” for Washington.

“We’ve been waiting for these plans for a long time, and the government is and was ready and has a two-year plan to manage these events,” said Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh.