Trump already tried to hurt Iran with sanctions once

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-04T08:14:17.691Z • Permanent link

President Trump's latest attempt to pressure Iran into negotiations is rooted in his administration's history of using economic sanctions as a tool of statecraft. In 2018, the Trump administration imposed crippling sanctions on Iran's energy and financial sectors, causing widespread economic pain and exacerbating a deepening humanitarian crisis. The sanctions, which included a ban on Iranian oil exports, were designed to force Iran's leaders to abandon their nuclear program and comply with international demands.

Key figures in the Trump administration, including National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, were instrumental in crafting the sanctions policy. Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, had long advocated for a more aggressive approach to the country, while Pompeo saw the sanctions as a key component of a broader strategy to undermine Iran's influence in the region. The sanctions, which were imposed in stages, were designed to maximize the economic pain for the Iranian regime while minimizing the impact on ordinary citizens.

The full extent of the sanctions' impact on Iran is difficult to quantify, but it is clear that the country's economy has suffered greatly. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund, the sanctions have reduced Iran's GDP by over 4% since 2018, while inflation has soared to over 20%. The sanctions have also had a devastating impact on Iran's healthcare system, which has seen a significant decline in access to medical care and supplies.

The Trump administration's latest sanctions push has significant implications for the global infrastructure sector. Companies that rely on Iranian oil and gas exports, such as Total and Equinor, are likely to feel the pinch, while research communities and policymakers will need to adapt to the changing dynamics in the region. The sanctions also have broader implications for global markets, which are likely to experience increased volatility as the conflict in Iran escalates.

The sanctions also have significant implications for the global supply chain, particularly in the energy sector. Iran is a major player in the global energy market, and disruptions to its oil exports are likely to have a ripple effect on global markets. Companies that rely on Iranian oil imports, such as refineries and petrochemical plants, will need to find alternative sources of supply in order to avoid disruptions to their operations.

The Trump administration's latest sanctions push is part of a larger pattern of using economic pressure as a tool of statecraft. This approach has been employed by various administrations in the past, including the Obama administration's use of sanctions against Russia and the Bush administration's sanctions against Libya. The use of economic pressure as a tool of statecraft is a complex and nuanced issue, and one that requires careful consideration of the potential consequences.