Good news for the USA: The European Union joins sanctions against Iran

The pressure exerted by the USA on its allies to join the fight against Iran, both on the financial and military fronts, is beginning to have an effect. The European Union officially joined the sanctions imposed by the USA on Iran this week. South Korea is considering joining the military efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the European Union for the decision to take part in an "economic isolation operation," aimed at cutting Tehran off from the global financial system.

"We appreciate the fact that they took a strong stance at an early stage," he wrote in a post published on social media. "The world is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime: we will not stop until every financial lifeline is dismantled."

Bessent's words were published in response to a statement released by the EU on Monday, in which it expressed support for efforts to stop "destabilizing activities" by the regime and to return to the negotiating table, this being done, among other things, by increasing sanctions. As part of the operation that the USA launched at the end of August, it is working to block Iran's access to digital assets, advanced technology, gold reserves, commercial aircraft, and ships.

"The USA stands firm with its allies to ensure that the murderous Iranian regime cannot exploit the global financial system to fund its nuclear ambitions, weapons programs, and the terrorist organizations that operate on its behalf," Bessent further wrote.

A less enthusiastic response to the European Union's move came from the Iranians. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Europe "gave up its sovereignty, laws, regulations, and values due to American coercion."

At the same time, the government in South Korea is considering providing military assistance to the US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the passage of commercial ships. However, the government stated that a final decision on the matter has not yet been made. The issue arose after Washington expressed dissatisfaction with the country's lack of willingness so far to offer military assistance in the fight against Iran. The American anger was manifested in the reduction of joint military exercises and even in the cancellation of an exercise that was planned to be held this month.