Iran: against war, against sanctions

Donald Trump is still threatening renewed open war in the Gulf, most lately against Oman, a US ally.

The US, however, is now talking more about economic sanctions. Vice President J D Vance is remarkably clear about the US’s pared-down aims: “Ensure the Gulf countries continue to send oil and gas to the world economy so we have energy price stability. That’s goal number one: keep oil and gas cheap for Americans… goal number two is to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.”

How could these goals be achieved? US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 20 August, stated that the US planned the “most crushing economic operation every taken against any country.” Bessent then threatened economic penalties against any organisation or state doing business with Iran, “the US Treasury and government will put [their] full might and force towards enforcing [the US sanctions].” He added, “You’re either for us or against us.”

Bessent seems to believe that more sanctions are a good alternative to full-scale war against Iran, belatedly having worked out that such war is not likely to work. But they aren’t.