The European Union has formally joined the U.S.-led "Operation Economic Outcast," a sanctions campaign aimed at severing Tehran from the global financial system. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the bloc's "strong and early stance" in a social media post on Thursday evening, stating the world is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime. The EU's endorsement came as G20 finance ministers and central bank governors gathered in Asheville, North Carolina, earlier this week. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned the move on September 1, calling it "economic terrorism" and accusing the EU of surrendering its sovereignty to U.S. coercion. The campaign targets Iran's access to digital assets, advanced technology, gold reserves, commercial aviation, and shipping.