US official promotes the idea of ‘extreme calamity’ in Iran

(SeaPRwire) –   A senior aide to US President Donald Trump has praised the deteriorating economic conditions in the Islamic Republic

A top White House official has declared that Iran is on the verge of an “extreme calamity” and hunger, as the United States relies on economic pressure to achieve its goals in the conflict.

President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports and escalated sanctions after a bombing campaign failed to overthrow the government in Tehran. While major military operations have largely ceased under a fragile ceasefire announced last month, both sides are now attempting to exploit economic strain to gain strategic advantage.

Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, highlighted what he described as severe economic decline in Iran during an interview with CBS News on Sunday, attributing the situation to the Iranian leadership.

“They’re an economy that’s truly teetering on the edge of extreme calamity,” Hassett stated, referencing internal briefings. “They are experiencing hyperinflation. They are beginning to confront widespread hunger.”

When questioned about whether the naval blockade—traditionally seen as an act of war—indicated that the U.S. was effectively at war with Iran despite the president’s statements to Congress, Hassett admitted he was unsure “what the definition of war is when we’re not firing weapons and instead are negotiating.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the administration’s position, telling Fox News that U.S. anti-Iranian measures were “crushing the regime.” He underscored a coordinated government strategy, describing his department’s efforts as “economic fury”, in reference to the Pentagon’s designation for the war on Iran, Operation Epic Fury.

“We [have been] running a marathon over the past 12 months, and now we are sprinting toward the finish line,” he remarked.

U.S. economic warfare

Washington has long depended on unilateral sanctions to pressure foreign governments, leveraging its dominance in global financial systems and the central role of the U.S. economy to enforce such restrictions.

While U.S. officials frequently claim these measures aim to influence government officials, critics argue they constitute a form of economic warfare. A 2025 study published in The Lancet Global Health estimated that unilateral sanctions imposed by the U.S. and EU between 2010 and 2021 resulted in approximately 564,000 excess deaths annually.

Washington facing mounting challenges

Despite claims by Trump administration officials that the campaign against Iran has been a decisive military victory, Tehran has not agreed to U.S. demands and continues to maintain control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.

The U.S. is also reportedly depleting significant reserves of essential munitions, and it has strained relationships with traditional allies who refused to support the military action. It is additionally managing the consequences of the broader economic disruption caused by the crisis, which could spark the worst global economic downturn in decades.