US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argues that current financial strain is primarily an energy shock centered on the Strait of Hormuz rather than a sign of broader economic breakdown. Headline inflation stood at approximately 3.5% as of October 6, 2026, compared to around 2.3% for core inflation, a gap highlighting energy’s outsized impact. Domestic gas prices have hovered around $4 per gallon, while 10-year Treasury yields have climbed to their highest levels in years. Operation Economic Outcast, announced on August 24, 2026, targets over 60 entities and individuals linked to Iran, with Bessent claiming Iranian crude oil exports fell to zero in September 2026 and the rial hit record lows.
Source: Read the original article

