Sanctions are a long-used tool designed as an alternative to military force and with the objective of changing governments’ behaviour, but they also end up hurting civilian citizens.
If in doubt, take a look at 47 years of U.S.-imposed sanctions against Iran, during which sanctions regimes have neither decreased prospects of a military encounter nor altered the policies of Iranian leaders.
Rather, they have negatively impacted Iranian society because of their broad nature affecting business, health, education and humanitarian aspects of life.
In mid-January, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) clamped new sanctions on ships for allegedly transporting Iranian oil to international markets, in violation of unilateral U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. government is relying on energy policies and oil sanctions, to force Iran to back down after it rejected a demand to halt its nuclear programme.
U.S. sanctions on Iran date back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended Washington’s alliance with the former Shah. Nearly five decades later, those sanctions remain in force.
What began with frozen Iranian assets in U.S. banks, has since expanded, tied to disputes over Tehran’s regional policy, nuclear program, and ballistic missile development.
U.S. sanctions have intensified under Washington’s so-called “maximum pressure campaign”, targeting Iran’s foreign trade, particularly petrochemical exports. It began under President Donald Trump’s first term and has accelerated since his return to office in January 2025.
The sanctions now hit Iran’s energy, shipping, and financial sectors, with negative effects across a broad spectrum of society. Inflation above 50 percent and a steep currency decline of 90 percent have pushed up prices and weakened purchasing power.
While U.S. sanctions officially target specific sectors, their impact has been far-reaching, fuelling shortages and renewing debate over their effectiveness and humanitarian cost.
The U.S. sanctions have not changed Iran’s regional policy or its stand on the nuclear programme and ballistic missiles. The United States is demanding a zero-enrichment policy and limiting the range of Iran’s missiles to about 500 kilometres.
With Iran declaring the U.S. conditions its "red lines," there are no promising prospects on easing of U.S. sanctions, let alone removing them, in the near future.
Trump has said that the U.S. is "watching Iran" and is moving "an armada" of warships towards the country "just in case" he decides to take action.
In response to his threats, Iran unveiled a mural in downtown Tehran showcasing a strike on a U.S. aircraft carrier and a burning U.S. flag.
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The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations linked to Russian intelligence, in a move aimed at countering efforts to destabilise Europe.
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
AnewZ has launched dedicated Azerbaijani-language digital platforms, making its journalism more accessible to Azerbaijani-speaking audiences.
At least six people, including a nine-year-old girl, were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, 12 July, Palestinian health officials said.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
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