Economic Sanctions In Iran

While the sanctions were designed to severely hamper Iran’s economy, trade and access to international financial systems, thereby diminishing the power of the Islamic regime, they inadvertently helped the Iranian government consolidate its power among the people, deflecting blame and its own flaws on Western powers. The impact of nearly thirty-five years of aggressively enforced sanctions on ordinary Iranian citizens has been devastating. The downfall of Iran’s economy and industry have resulted in severe inflation and massive unemployment, thereby creating harsh living and working conditions for ordinary Iranians. The number of families living in poverty has increased from 22 percent to over 40 percent, and the price of food has increased …show more content…
Sanctions have prevented Iran’s access to purchase patented life-saving medicines from the West in order to help people suffering from a wide range of serious illnesses, including cancer and AIDS. In effect, sanctions jeopardize the health and safety of ordinary people who have no influence on the government’s decision-making with respect to nuclear power programs. The impact of economic sanctions on providing proper care and medical treatment for the Iranian civil population is shown in the following quote from a 33-year old high school teacher from Mazandaran, who explains the severity of the sanctions …show more content…
The sanctions were to signal the uniform stance of the international community against Iran’s nuclear program, to isolate and weaken Iran’s economy to such extent as to trigger popular opposition against the government; thus, leading to a possible regime change, and to force the Iranian government into compliance with the international demand to terminate its nuclear program. While it may be true that sanctions are directed against governments and not the population of a country, the fact remains that those who suffer most from such sanctions are the people of the country. In the face of restrictions and hardships triggered by international sanctions, those groups of the civil population of Iran who would otherwise support a more modern government may instead unite behind their government in a standoff with the international community. Sanctions in this case seem to have led to an empowerment and strengthening of the ruling elite, while weakening the voices of the democratic-minded Iranians most open to change and long-term friendly relations with the Western World