US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday that the United States has not made any final decision on potential sanctions relief for Iran, noting that “we’ll see” when asked whether Washington would continue its financial and economic embargo on Tehran. Speaking during a question-and-answer session at the Reagan National Economic Forum after delivering prepared remarks, Bessent addressed questions on the future direction of US sanctions policy amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and diplomatic maneuvering with Iran.

Bessent’s comments came in response to a direct question on whether the US would maintain its long-standing sanctions regime against Iran. He avoided committing to a firm position, instead indicating that decisions would depend on developments in negotiations and compliance by Tehran. His remarks suggested that sanctions relief remains a conditional possibility rather than a policy shift already underway, keeping options open for the administration as it evaluates diplomatic progress.

Outlining a potential framework for easing restrictions, Bessent said any removal of sanctions would occur gradually and be tied to specific benchmarks. He added that “milestones” would be required from the Iranian side before any easing could take place, signaling a structured and performance-based approach. At the same time, he warned that the US could intensify economic pressure if a deal does not materialize, reinforcing that sanctions remain a key leverage tool in Washington’s strategy.

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The comments come against the backdrop of prolonged tensions between the US and Iran, particularly after the US withdrew from the nuclear agreement during the first term of Donald Trump, leading to the reimposition of strict sanctions. Iran has repeatedly insisted that sanctions relief is a central condition for any renewed agreement with Washington. Earlier on Friday, Trump also said he was making a “final determination” on a preliminary ceasefire-related arrangement involving Iran, while simultaneously downplaying any immediate easing of restrictions.

Bessent also highlighted that additional sanctions measures have recently been imposed, including targeting sectors such as airlines and financial channels. He said the US retains further tools to increase pressure if required, while also suggesting there may be scope for limited relief measures aimed at humanitarian or civilian impact. The dual-track approach, he indicated, allows flexibility depending on how negotiations evolve in the coming period.

Separately, Bessent touched on broader economic policy discussions in the United States, expressing support for reducing reliance on forward guidance from the Federal Reserve and emphasizing a shift toward greater accountability in monetary policy. He also made a symbolic reference to plans for a commemorative coin marking the US 250th anniversary that could feature Trump’s image, a proposal he said would require congressional approval before implementation.

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