On the surface, the U.S. sanctions Iran to halt its nuclear program and protect Israel. But in reality, these sanctions target countries that do not align with American interests, as detailed below.

Iran has not invaded another country in the past two centuries. Its official stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict—which has been submitted to the UN—calls for a resolution through a comprehensive democratic election. While Iran has never expressed an intention to launch an unprovoked military attack against Israel, Israel has assassinated many Iranian scientists and officials. It also repeatedly used its military to expand illegal settlements and occupy disputed land, despite warnings from numerous countries around the world, including its closest ally, the United States.

As a member of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), Iran has the right to enrich uranium up to 20% and more. Despite this, Iran agreed to be held to a different standard than other member states by voluntarily limiting its enrichment to 3.67% under the JCPOA. What more could it have done?

Nevertheless, the U.S. under President Donald Trump continued to impose sanctions on Iran—even after multiple international bodies confirmed that Iran was complying with the agreement.

Sanctions often lead to economic hardship for the people living within a country. Such conditions are especially fertile ground for fostering resentment toward the West. They reinforce the narrative promoted by those who claim the West is untrustworthy and cruel. Hardliners frequently accuse others of having a shallow understanding of Western politics. As the painful effects of crippling sanctions are felt in daily life, more people are likely to adopt their views.

A common counterargument is that “those who detest the West will continue to do so anyway.” But this misses the point. The issue is not about the original critics of the West themselves, but about the new waves of people who may be drawn to their ideology.