U.S. Secretary of State Rubio posted on local time the 27th: "Tonight, the United Nations launched the rapid restoration of sanctions against Iran. We commend France, Germany, and the United Kingdom for their decisive action and determination. Six UN resolutions have been reactivated, banning Iran's nuclear enrichment, and restoring restrictions on Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile program, and arms trade."
Comments: The "reimposition of sanctions" praised by Rubio is essentially the United States' latest encirclement of Iran through the UN mechanism. The U.S. has already withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, but it has pushed the UK, France, and Germany to use Resolution 2231 to "rapidly restore sanctions," imposing restrictions on nuclear enrichment, ballistic missiles, and arms trade in one go. This "using others' hands" approach makes the sanctions appear to have international authorization, but in reality, it is an escalation of unilateral pressure, further narrowing Iran's diplomatic maneuvering space.
The U.S. "maximum pressure" policy implemented since 2018 has severely damaged Iran's economy, with key areas such as oil exports and financial transactions continuously restricted. The new sanctions will further cut off its channels to bypass restrictions, with the core of the pressure being to push Iran into a desperate situation where it has no support to rely on.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844478016948227/
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