According to “Ynet,” Besant said in an interview with “CNBC” that what is happening is a “double strike,” combining the blockade and sanctions, which he described as “the harshest in history,” adding: “We will bring down this regime.” But it is not a direct announcement from Trump himself, and it is still unclear to what extent it reflects the US president’s final position.
The Treasury Department is scheduled to reveal the details of the new sanctions on Monday, which, according to Besant, will include sanctions on countries that continue to trade with Iran or allow their financial institutions, companies, airports, and government agencies to provide any economic lifeline to Tehran.
Trump had spoken of an “economic D-Day” against Iran, warning that any country that helped it would face “tremendous economic consequences.” Besant sent a similar message to the allies, saying that they must choose: “Either with us or against us,” stressing that the Treasury Department and the US administration will use their full force against those who continue to transfer money, buy Iranian oil, or facilitate maritime transport operations.
But Besant avoided answering directly whether Washington would punish China if it continued to buy Iranian oil, because such a move could open a new trade confrontation with Beijing. He merely said that China gets half of its energy from the Gulf, and that cooperation with Washington would be in its interest.
Despite the American escalation, analysts doubt the ability of the naval blockade and new sanctions to quickly bring down the Iranian economy. Iran has been experiencing a deep crisis for years, but it has developed something resembling a “survival economy,” by rationing goods, restricting access to foreign currencies, reducing investments, and placing a greater portion of the burden on families, while maintaining strategic imports and internal repression mechanisms.
Estimates cited in the report indicate that inflation in Iran this year may approach 70%, while the economy is expected to contract by 5.4%. The Iranian riyal also fell to a record level of about 1.9 million riyals to the dollar, while the blockade deprives Tehran of oil revenues estimated at about 435 million dollars per day.
But the most important warning, according to the report, is that economic pressure may not push Iran to retreat, but rather to escalate. Mediators have warned Washington that Tehran has lived under sanctions for many years, and that betting on its submission due to financial pressure may not succeed.
Observers fear that Iran will use the threat to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip if it persists longer than Washington expects, which may prolong the crisis and increase the risk of a return to military confrontation. The report quoted Iranian officials threatening a new regional escalation if the blockade was not lifted within “weeks.”
On the other hand, the Iranian Foreign Ministry described the US sanctions as “economic terrorism” and a “crime against humanity,” considering that economic pressure is the other side of war and military aggression. She stressed that Iran will use all means to defend its security and interests.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also responded by saying that what Washington calls “economic D-Day” is nothing but an attempt to divert attention from America’s internal crises, from record debt to high interest costs, considering that repeating failed policies will lead to a new defeat and increased hostility among the Iranians.
As for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, he continues to warn of the danger of the country remaining in a situation of “no war, no peace,” but the report indicates that his ability to influence within the regime appears limited, in light of the rise of the influence of Revolutionary Guard generals and extremists.
