U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an « economic D-Day » against Iran on May 19, promising to expand secondary sanctions and target five « vital lifelines »: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping. Iranian inflation has surpassed 80%, the rial has lost 30% of its value this year, and the IMF forecasts a 6.1% GDP contraction in 2025, the worst in decades. More than one million jobs had disappeared by late May, and the naval blockade prevents both oil exports and imports of refined fuels. Protests have erupted across multiple sectors, including oil, steel, and petrochemical workers, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning of potential social collapse if the economic situation does not improve.
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