US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced the start of a new policy of "economic isolation" against Iran. The sanctions Washington is preparing to implement could target not only Iranian state institutions and companies, but also foreign countries and companies that maintain trade and financial ties with Iran. This indicates the US's intention to increase economic pressure on Tehran on a broader scale.
According to Bessent's statements, the goal is to limit Iran's international financial and trade opportunities, make it difficult for it to access revenue sources, and influence Tehran's policy through economic pressure. However, the Iranian side states that it will not remain unresponsive to these steps. Tehran believes that since it has lived under sanctions for many years, new restrictions will not be able to weaken the country as easily as before.
Thus, the issue is not just a new sanctions confrontation between the US and Iran. Here, how China, Russia, Turkey, and other countries will continue their economic ties with Iran, as well as how effective Washington's "economic isolation" policy will be, becomes one of the main questions.
Political scientist Tofig Abbasov commented on the issue to Modern.az:
"Zigzag elements are visible in the current US policy. This is more an indication of the serious dilemma faced by the world's most powerful state. Since the US has not been able to fully achieve its goals on the military front, President Donald Trump is now emphasizing the financial and economic arm of pressure.
The harsh statements by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also part of this policy. However, it is difficult to say that these threats have had a serious impact on Iran. Iran has already, in a sense, taken the initiative. The strikes on US bases in Jordan were an important message for Tehran: Iran is no longer just the defending party, it also has offensive capabilities and can target US military facilities in the region. In the economic sphere, new sanctions do not differ significantly from previous ones for Iran. Iran has been living under sanctions for approximately half a century and has developed economic mechanisms adapted to this. Of course, sanctions cause the weakening of the rial and economic difficulties, but it would not be correct to say that they have brought Iran to a state of economic collapse or default. The country has a large domestic market, local production capabilities, and trade relations with neighboring states.
Iran also compensates for the gaps created by sanctions to some extent by cooperating with China, Russia, and other countries. Especially cooperation with China in the energy and technology sectors is an important economic pillar for Tehran. Iran's "resistance economy" developed over the years has also increased its resilience to sanctions. Another factor complicating the situation for the US is the need to restore military resources. The depletion of missile stockpiles and the time required for new production limit Washington's maneuverability. The upcoming midterm elections also create additional political pressure on the administration. In this regard, Scott Bessent's threat to Iran with new sanctions may not be as effective a means of pressure on Tehran as before. On the contrary, these harsh statements also show the limitations and dilemma the US faces in the Iranian issue. Iran is a country that has adapted to long-term sanctions, established alternative economic ties, and developed its military capabilities. Therefore, it does not seem realistic that new sanctions will weaken or disarm Iran in the short term".
Nicat Rüstəm
