❗️Washington signals wider war as US officials say escalation is the only way to end US-Israeli aggression on Iran – The Cradle
❗️Washington signals wider war as US officials say escalation is the only way to end US-Israeli aggression on Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested that intensifying military pressure on Iran may be necessary to bring the war to a close, aligning with remarks by US President Donald Trump that shift between winding down the conflict and threatening to strike Iranian energy infrastructure if Tehran does not yield control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Bessent framed escalation as a deliberate strategy, arguing it is “the only language” Iran understands as tensions ripple through global energy markets.
At the same time, Washington has quietly eased sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil already loaded onto tankers, presenting the move as an effort to contain price surges and protect allied economies. Critics say the decision contradicts the broader war posture by allowing Tehran to sustain revenue flows during active conflict, a charge Bessent dismissed by arguing the oil would be sold regardless under less favorable pricing conditions.
With fuel prices climbing and no timeline for relief, the administration is placing its bet on long-term strategic gains over immediate economic stability. Bessent declined to specify when markets might settle, framing the confrontation as a necessary cost to curb Iran’s influence.
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