WAN – Pune Ashtiani, a journalist who follows the developments in Iran, stated that the US and Israeli sanctions against Iran have turned into a multifaceted project. “Although the majority of the people are not satisfied with the regime, they do not want change through foreign intervention,” she said. 

 

The US and Israel pursue their policies towards Iran through economic sanctions, military presence and diplomatic pressure. Military mobilisation around Iran and international sanctions restrict Tehran’s room for manoeuvre. With the recent “Zangezur Corridor” agreements in the South Caucasus, the US has also gained influence on Iran’s northern border. 

 

Iranian journalist Pune Ashtiani made evaluations on Israel's regional operations against Iran and the US sanctions.

 

US POLICY 

 

She said that the Us has developed a long-term policy on Iran, adding that the strategy of these plans is economic suspension and geopolitical encirclement. Pune Ashtiani noted that sanctions have been imposed on Iran since the era of former US Prsident Barack Obama in terms of Access to financial resources, energy and technology. 

 

“Another pillar of the US is its military and security presence around Iran. For Washington, the Gulf region is both a vital energy route and a key to geopolitical control. Fort his reason, the American navy is constantly being strengthened here, and any Show of force by Iran is immediately responded to,” she stressed. 

 

'SANCTIONS HAVE TURNED INTO A MULTIFACETED PROJECT'

 

Stating that the US sanctions against Iran have turned into a multifaceted Project with the UN sanctions, Pune Ashtiani said that this policy has not been limited to the Gulf in recent years and reminded the agreements made on the Zangezur Corridor. 

 

She added: “Although legally this route is not US territory, Washington’s exclusive access to this transit corridor and Russia’s declining influence in the region have created a new ring or pressure on Iran. From Tehran’s point of view, this means a simultaneous encirclement from both the south and the north. In addition to these two pillars, a legal mechanism has been put in place, which, when activated, reinstates the United Nations sanctions against Iran, giving the US and its allies the legal and political basis for more coordinated and widespread economic pressure. Simply put, sanctions, which until yesterday were a unilateral profect of the US, have today become a multilateral project.”

 

'THERE COULD BE A CLASH AT ANY MOMENT'

 

These sanctions and military presence, together with the structural influence in the north, have created an environment of constant tension, Pune Ashtiani said and continued: "Tehran feels compelled to continuously strengthen its missile power, drone capacity and regional network of allies. On the other hand, the US and its allies are seeking to increase deterrence at different levels. As a result, there is neither total war nor total peace in the region. There could be a limited conflict at any time, but neither side wants to start a large-scale war."

 

'IRAN IS A JIGSAW PUZZLE'

 

Noting that Israel and Western countries see Iran as part of their regional reconstruction plans, Pune Ashtiani said: “Israel2s threats against Iran are more psychological in nature. Israel, the US and Europe know that Iran does not currently possess nuclear weapons and does not pose an immediate threat. The discourses are part of the scenario of reshaping the region. Today, a new map of the region is being drawn in the West and Iran is merely a puzzle piece. The experiences of Libya, Iraq and Syria have shown that the West has not brought freedom and democracy to these countries. On the ground, Iran's power is more limited than in the past; its influence in Syria has been severely limited and its direct access to Israel's borders is no longer possible. Therefore, the image of Iran as an immediate threat is used as a propaganda and geopolitical tool much more than it actually is." 

 

'SOCIETY IS DIVIDED'

 

Pune Ashtiani said that the Iranian society is divided and on the one hand, the pro-monarchy external opposition supports Israel and expects war. "The victims of the war will be the civilian population," Pune Ashtiani said, adding that the majority of the people do not want change through foreign intervention. He noted that the people know that war will bring destruction and social collapse, not democracy, and that the Iranian regime, though authoritarian, does not pose a regional threat and does not have the capacity to wage large-scale war.

 

'NORMALISATION STRATEGY IS BEING PURSUED'

 

She stated that the sanctions pursue a strategy of “normalisation” in Iran and that the regime cannot use the “external threat” as a means of controlling the society and that the people do not believe this narrative due to the heavy sanctions. Pune Ashtiani said: “For example, the recent decision to allow more concerts inside and outside Iran or to present the image of a ‘happy and safe’ country for tourists is part of this effort. The allegations that some foregin social media influencers, especially Turkish influencers, are paid to come to Iran and post video of women walking around with their heads uncovered are indicative of this illusion of normalisation. In short, the ‘external threat’ discourse has not been completely abandoned, but it is no longer the top priority; the strategy of normalisation and distraction is in the foreground.”

 

'OUTWARD SPENDING LEADS TO LEGITIMACY CRISIS'

 

Pune Ashtiani stated that the expectations of the society for freedom and prosperity have not been met and outward-oriented expenditures have led to a crisis of legitimacy. Pune Ashtiani said that Iran's "Axis of Resistance" strategy in foreign policy does not have a social base, and that this strategy, which is touted as a "religious and national duty", does not resonate with the people struggling with economic problems. 

 

Pune Ashtiani concluded: "The slogan 'Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is sacrificed for Iran', which is often heard in the protests, shows that the people do not justify the resources spent abroad and want priority to be given to the country. The regime's insistence on the ideology of resistance has led to backlash, with some opponents abroad even defending the Israeli attacks on Gaza out of anger at this policy. This situation is both dangerous and regrettable. Domestically, the 'axis of resistance' is seen as an unnecessary and heavy burden. While society's expectations of freedom and welfare are not met, outward-looking expenditures lead to a serious crisis of legitimacy."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut