For many years, U.S. sanctions against Iran have been a key component of Washington’s foreign policy, particularly after Tehran’s nuclear programme became a major international concern. Over time, the scope of these sanctions has expanded to include Iran’s energy sector, financial system and trade networks. These measures are intended to restrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions, limit its regional influence, and pressure Tehran to change its strategic conduct.
Beyond their intended objectives, these sanctions have significant economic and security consequences. For Iran, sanctions have increased economic hardship and constrained its regional and defence activities, forcing Tehran to adapt rather than absorb the pressure. For the United States, sanctions have long served as a tool to apply pressure without direct military engagement.[1] The direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran in 2026 altered this dynamic, although sanctions have remained a key component of U.S. policy toward Tehran. Russia, for its part, treats the sanctions regime as both an opportunity and a risk, using it to deepen ties with Tehran while managing its own exposure to Western pressure.[2]
