The latest round of US economic sanctions against Iran stems purely from American frustration after the complete failure of Washington’s military aggression, a former senior US diplomat has admitted, warning that the measures will only heighten regional tensions rather than force Iranian capitulation.
Alan Eyre, a former US negotiator who played a key role in the 2015 nuclear deal, told Al Jazeera on Thursday that “the tree of sanctions has already been plucked.”
With all previous punitive tools exhausted, he said the only remaining options are the ongoing illegal naval blockade of Iranian ports and desperate calls for multilateral sanctions.
“The latest round of economic sanctions on Iran seems to be borne out of frustration,” Eyre stated.
He explained that Iranian leadership, when confronted with existential threats, becomes even less inclined to compromise, viewing any concession as a sign of weakness that would invite further pressure.
“What’s more likely to happen is not Iranian leadership capitulation, but counter-escalation by the Iranian military leadership to try to stop the naval blockade,” Eyre warned. “And that means targeting (Persian) Gulf country energy infrastructure and possibly other targets.”
His remarks come as Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the new US sanctions, branding them “economic terrorism” and “crimes against humanity.”
In a statement issued Thursday, the ministry noted that the measures were announced on the anniversary of the shameful 1953 US-backed coup against Iran’s democratically elected government, underscoring 73 years of unbroken American hostility toward the Iranian people.
The ministry stressed that the sanctions, which target the fundamental human rights of every Iranian citizen, follow the failed US-Zionist wars launched against Iran on February 28. Those aggressive campaigns have achieved none of their objectives of forcing the Iranian nation into submission. Washington’s pathological addiction to sanctions and military force, the statement added, only endangers global peace while exposing the moral bankruptcy of US policy.
US President Donald Trump had announced what he called the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran, threatening “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale” and vowing penalties against any country that continues legitimate trade with Tehran. Yet Eyre’s assessment makes clear that such bluster reflects American strategic exhaustion rather than strength.
The United Arab Emirates has announced limits on its trade and financial ties with Iran. However, Eyre observed that Abu Dhabi is unlikely to “burn all their bridges,” as Persian Gulf states face the real risk of renewed defensive responses and must preserve relationships that can endure once the current US-imposed conflict ends.
