What Should We Do About Snapback?

TEHRAN (Iran News) It can essentially be acknowledged that the sanctions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929 against Iran, passed in 2010, had relatively deep effects on the lives of Iranians. Although the main goal was to exert pressure on Iran’s nuclear program, in its wake it brought sanctions on the Central Bank and the banking system, problems in international monetary transfers, a reduction in foreign-currency income, difficulties in selling oil, obstacles to the development of oil and gas fields, and in consequence, a sharp increase in the exchange rate and inflation.

For example, the shortage of medicines and medical equipment resulting from these sanctions became more evident because of problems in imports. The inflation rate above 45 percent in the month of Mordad (July–August) further demonstrated the decline in people’s purchasing power.

Another problem arising from these sanctions has been difficulties in international travel, bringing restrictions in flights and financial transfers.

Another obstacle that will be created is the reduction in the quantity and quality of domestic goods, which we will face due to restrictions on the import of raw materials.

The impact on businesses will also be far from negligible, for example:

1. a) problems in imports and exports,
2. b) reduction or severing of relations with international partners,
3. c) a sharp decrease in foreign investment,
4. d) the creation of recession in many industries.

What I have enumerated has also led to heavy social consequences: increased poverty and inequality, further emigration of the country’s elites and specialists abroad, and heightened psychological pressure and anxiety on families — which in the short term are less manageable.

In the medium term, of course, it is possible to focus national management on areas that will gradually neutralize the effects of the sanctions — for example, intensifying economic-resistance policies in Iran, unavoidably stimulating growth in some domestic industries, and expanding cooperation with neighboring countries instead of the West. In brief, it can be said that the aim of the United States and its “obedient European lackeys” in these sanctions is in fact the daily life of Iranians, in order to incite them against the system and the leadership. Yet these Western measures, whose source is the “Great Satan,” have been applied in various ways for 47 years, but they have not had the desired results for the West and, in many cases, have even had the opposite effect.

The most crucial tool for countering Western challenges is support for low-income groups and creating social cohesion, and indeed this is exactly what the Westerners have targeted. It is quite clear that behind these pressures lies a fragile situation for the West, which they conceal by adorning its appearance. The path to survival is to create national solidarity through resistance, enlightening public opinion, and national cooperation, which must be placed on the agenda. Every discordant voice must be silenced, even at the cost of accusations, so that the enemy cannot find a crack in national unity.

This is a difficult pass, but just like previous passes, we will also get through this one, God willing.