Iran’s economy is facing high inflation and other challenges, partly due to U.S. sanctions, U.S. ‍Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday (January 8, 2026), underscoring Washington’s concerns about Tehran cracking down violently on anti-regime protests.

“The Iranian economy ‌is on the ropes,” Mr. Bessent told the Economic Club of Minnesota, underscoring President Donald Trump’s warning to Tehran to avoid harming protesters.

“It’s a very precarious moment. He does not want them to harm more of the protesters. This is a tense moment,” the U.S. Treasury secretary said, referring to Mr. Trump’s threat to hit Tehran if it began killing protesters.

– Reuters