The U.S. economic isolation measures against Iran have sparked widespread skepticism from multiple parties.

Bessent declared on Thursday that the U.S. would impose an economic isolation on Iran "unseen by the world."

It seems the U.S. believes the only path to victory lies in an "economic war."

If such a strategy were truly viable, why wait nearly six months before deciding to adopt it?

The truth is, no thorough plan was ever formulated.

Sanctions are neither the U.S.'s "Plan A," nor its "Plan B."

For example, on March 20, the U.S. issued General License U, lifting sanctions on 120 million to 140 million barrels of Iranian oil, allowing Iran to earn an additional approximately $10 per barrel from oil sales.

This is self-contradictory. If the goal is to strangle the opponent, how could sanctions on Iranian oil be lifted? Isn't this giving the opponent a lifeline?

Unbelievable.

A month later, the Trump administration authorized sanctions on Iran, then lifted them, and subsequently reimposed them...

Acting on impulse.

What real leverage does Trump actually have left to pressure Iran?

After nearly 100 days of blockade, Iran has already become one of the most-sanctioned countries on Earth. Under Operation Economic Fury, the U.S. has imposed over 200 new sanctions on Iran through the Treasury Department.

The key focus in targeting Iran via financial sanctions lies in how to sanction foreign entities connected with Iran.

Time is a crucial variable.

Economic confrontation has always been an economic race.

Will Iran's economy collapse first—or will the global economy collapse first?

Based on existing signs, the global economy—indicated by the yen, South Korea’s markets, U.S. Treasuries, oil prices, refined products, fertilizers, etc.—will likely collapse first.

Even if Iran’s economy collapses first, it doesn’t mean surrender or easy regime change.

Bessent made tough statements upfront; without creative follow-up actions, the result may only be self-harm while trying to harm others.

This is a showdown between a sanctions king and a ninja turtle.

If there were a truly feasible, knockout strategy, why would Trump sign a memorandum of understanding in Versailles?

Next week, we’ll see the magician Old Bessent’s performance.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873508146477066/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.