Sanctions on Iran an Unethical and Ineffective Foreign Policy Strategy
(Disclaimer: La Tonique Media LLC does not represent any political ideology. While we do not espouse any political beliefs, we do seek to provide a balance perspective by incorporating voices from both sides of the political spectrum.)
By Parissa King
In November, the Trump administration expanded sanctions against Iran, notably targeting its banks and oil sector. The U.S.’s economic sanctions on Iran have had a devastating impact on Iran’s economy, essentially causing it to collapse over the course of the last few years. Sanctions on trade have resulted in a lack of access to basic necessities, from vaccines and life-saving medication to everyday food staples. As the price and scarcity of basic goods rise, 2020 also saw the value of Iran’s currency plummet to a record low.
Ruhollah Zam was executed by the Iranian government in 2017. (AP)
One of the intended effects of throttling Iran’s economy is the incentivization of civilians to pressure their government into changing its behavior. Among the major grievances identified by the U.S. against Iran is the regime’s financial support for terrorist organizations. By restricting Iranians’ access to basic necessities and economic prosperity, the U.S. hopes to force their hand in demanding a discontinuation of terrorist sponsorship by the state. However, such an expectation is ludicrous, in that it erroneously assumes that Iran’s theocracy is subject to change by public pressure. It also jeopardizes the physical safety of Iranian civilians, putting them in danger of persecution by the regime for their rebellion. Iran’s regime is notoriously brutal when it comes to punishing activists — it has a long history of imprisoning and torturing citizens who have publicly advocated for social change. In 2017, the regime executed Ruhollah Zam, a well known journalist who incited protests.
What’s more, sanctions have historically proven to be ineffective in bringing about the U.S. government’s desired changes. Iran’s leaders have shown that they are actually less inclined to negotiate with the U.S. unless they believe they have considerable leverage. By weakening Iran’s hand through the imposition of sanctions, the U.S. acts contrary to its own interests in ever brokering peace between the two nations. So why continue to pursue the imposition of sanctions, even after it has proven to be an ineffective tactic? The Trump administration believes that continuing to crack down on Iran’s economy with sanctions will make it very difficult or even impossible to ever reenter the Nuclear Deal, something incoming President Joe Biden has promised to do when he takes office in January.
Unfortunately, the Iranian people bear the brunt of economic hardship imposed by ever-tightening U.S. sanctions, as well as the unethical expectation that they demand change from their inflexible government. As Iran’s population is forced into poverty, the U.S. must face the reality that causing suffering for millions of innocent civilians is an unethical approach to demanding change from a theocracy over which they have no control. Given that Iran has shown on numerous occasions that they are not above committing human rights violations in response to its citizens’ rebellion, it is irresponsible of the U.S. to continue imposing sanctions with the hope that its people will revolt. Using innocent civilians as expendable pawns to further an American agenda, whether that be demanding change from Iran’s government or intentionally creating challenges for the incoming president, is wholly unethical and an unacceptable foreign policy strategy.
Parissa is a political writer for La Tonique.
