The History and Impact of Sanctions on Iran w/ Muhammad Sahimi
Oct 14, 2022
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Muhammad Sahimi, professor of Iranian studies, discusses the history and impact of sanctions on Iran. Topics include the devastating famine during World War I, the 1921 British coup, access to medication in Iran, protests and their connection to sanctions, and the effects of sanctions on the Iranian people.
Sanctions have been used by outside powers to control Iran's economy and political sovereignty since the early 1900s.
There has been a bipartisan commitment to suffocate Iran economically and politically through the sanctions regime.
Despite the severe impacts of sanctions, Iran has managed to resist and adjust to them, with potential support from emerging global actors.
Deep dives
Historical Relations between Iran and the West
The podcast discusses the long history of intervention and control of Iran by outside imperial powers, emphasizing how sanctions have been imposed on Iran since the early 1900s. The Western powers, particularly the UK and the US, have used sanctions as a means of exerting control over Iran's economy and political sovereignty. This history of intervention has paved the way for the continuation and expansion of the sanctions regime, which is not solely focused on Iran's nuclear program but also serves as a tool to maintain control over the country. The podcast highlights that Iran's nuclear program has remained peaceful and that claims of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons are largely exaggerated.
The Continuity of Sanctions Across US Administrations
The podcast argues that there has been a bipartisan commitment to suffocate Iran economically and politically. It mentions that even during the Obama era, when the JCPOA nuclear deal was signed, the US did not fully lift all sanctions on Iran as promised. The discussion brings up the Algiers Accords and the devastating consequences of the sanctions, including the impact on critical medication availability and the loss of lives. It suggests that the nuclear program is used as an excuse to perpetuate the sanctions regime and maintain control over Iran, rather than a genuine concern about Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Iran's Coping Strategies and Changing Geopolitical Landscape
The podcast explores how Iran has coped with the sanctions. It mentions Iran's ability to resist and adjust to the sanctions, highlighting that despite the severe impacts, Iran has managed to find ways to evade the restrictions. It speculates about changes taking place in the contemporary environment, such as the emergence of Chinese firms and countries cooperating to evade the global US sanctions system. It suggests that these changes may provide some hope for Iran to counter the suffocating effects of the sanctions.
Economic impact of sanctions on Iran
The podcast episode discusses the direct impact of economic sanctions on Iran and their devastating consequences. The Algiers Accords, signed in 1981, prohibited the US from meddling in Iran's affairs and imposing economic sanctions. However, the US has consistently violated these accords by imposing and tightening sanctions on Iran. These sanctions, coupled with mismanagement and corruption within Iran, have led to a deteriorating economy and significant hardships for ordinary Iranian people. The sanctions have hindered Iran's ability to engage in normal commerce, both import and export goods, and have resulted in the loss of jobs and the decline of the middle class. The podcast emphasizes that the sanctions are a primary factor behind the current economic and political grievances in Iran.
Protests and the connection to sanctions
The podcast highlights the ongoing protests in Iran and their connection to the sanctions regime. While the immediate cause of the protests may have been a young woman's death, underlying economic and political conditions in Iran, largely influenced by the sanctions, have fueled these demonstrations. The sanctions have worsened economic conditions, contributing to widespread dissatisfaction among the middle class and poor populations. The sanctions have hampered Iran's economy, preventing trade and investment, leading to job losses and reduced buying power. Moreover, the sanctions have hindered democratization efforts in Iran by weakening the middle class, a key power base for political reform. The podcast suggests that the sanctions have pushed Iran closer to countries like China and Russia, as they have lost trust in the United States and its allies. Overall, the podcast argues that the sanctions have played a significant role in the current protests and the strategic shift towards closer ties with Eastern bloc countries.
This episode of Guerrilla History is a continuation of our Sanctions As War miniseries. In this fascinating episode, we have a discussion with Professor Muhammad Sahimi on the history and the impacts of sanctions on Iran, which is both an immensely enlightening and heartbreaking conversation. This episode is particularly timely given the current situation in Iran, which the last question of the interview addresses. Be sure to also stay turned for more installments of our Sanctions As War series!
Muhammad Sahimi is a Professor at the University of Southern California, where he analyses Iran’s political development, its nuclear program, and its foreign policy. From 2008 to 2012 he was the lead political analyst at E0*/Frontline/Tehran Bureau website.
