U.S. Sanctions on Iran Could Backfire, Experts Warn

A U.S. campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy may have the opposite effect, experts say. Instead of avoiding a military clash, the pressure could trigger one. Iranian leaders have already vowed to retaliate. Their likely target: the oil-rich Gulf region. That is where much of the world’s crude oil passes through. The warning comes as Washington tightens economic measures. The goal is to force Tehran to change its behavior without starting a war. But analysts argue that Iran, facing a collapsing economy, sees little to lose. “When a government has no room to retreat, it often pushes forward,” one regional expert noted. A direct strike on Gulf shipping lanes or U.S. assets in the area would be a high-risk move. Yet, for Tehran, it may appear as the only option left. The result could be a conflict no one planned. The White House insists its policy is about pressure, not provocation. But in Tehran, the calculation may look very different.