The latest sanctions cut Iran off from global banks, reimpose arms and missile restrictions, and revive asset freezes and travel bans on key officials. Analysts say the measures hit Iran at a fragile moment with its economy shrinking, inflation surging, and the rial collapsing to record lows. Oil sales, foreign investment, shipping, and manufacturing are all expected to take a hit.
What we're heading toward is the snapback scenario where the sanctions come back and Iran is likely to retaliate in some way that's unhelpful, said Ryan Costello, the policy director at the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). And the tensions could escalate into renewed violence after the Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this year. It's another kind of domino falling on the way toward the June war reigniting, Costello said.