Middle East

Aug. 06, 2018 | 12:04 AM

As sanctions bite, where next for Trump’s Iran strategy?

Sanctions against Tehran kick in Tuesday, with Iran already facing a currency implosion and economic crisis.

Thomas Watkins| Agence France Presse

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on August 06, 2018, on page 8.

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Summary

A wave of U.S. sanctions kicks in against Iran Tuesday, cementing Washington's hard line against Tehran after U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact.

At least for now, the U.S. is fixated on bringing as much diplomatic and economic pressure to Iran as possible – though it is not clear where things are headed, or if there is an increased risk of conflict.

As of 4:01 a.m. GMT Tuesday, the Iran government can no longer buy U.S. banknotes and broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports.

John Bolton, the president's national security advisor, is a well-known Iran hawk who has advocated for regime change.

Dubowitz, who noted that Iran has tested fewer missiles of late, said Trump's rhetoric and position on Iran actually lowers the risk of escalation toward conflict.

Experts see a number of possible outcomes for the current U.S. policy toward Iran.