Iran knows how to neutralize sanctions
Blowback from sanctions to work against Europe, West
By Mousa Ahmadi
Chairman of Parliament's Energy Committee
In recent days, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom— the three European powers known collectively as the European Troika—have triggered the so-called “snapback” mechanism against Iran. Reports indicate that in the coming days, all previous United Nations sanctions are expected to be reinstated, including restrictions on the sale of oil and energy.
For Iran, however, economic and financial curbs, especially those tied to oil sales, are nothing new. For more than 45 years, Western powers—led by the United States—have consistently sought to place Iran under economic pressure and tighten the screws in order to advance their own agendas. Yet over these decades, Iran has learned how to manage its economy and national affairs under the toughest sanction regimes. The country has repeatedly found ways to get around restrictions and push through the challenges.
Since the first term of Donald Trump, when sanctions were dramatically escalated and Washington attempted to drive Iranian oil exports down to zero, Iran has faced sweeping international barriers in energy sales. In recent months as well, despite repeated US efforts to block oil exports, Iran has managed to maintain its oil revenues. This clearly shows that the Islamic Republic has mastered the art of neutralizing sanctions and can continue selling its oil even under intense restrictions.
Another point worth noting is Iran’s place as a major global supplier of oil and energy. Its capacity cannot simply be brushed aside. Any attempt by adversaries to curb Iranian oil sales will inevitably disrupt international markets, and the blowback will directly hit the very powers—especially the United States—that are driving these measures.
As mentioned, Iran has already been living under heavy American sanctions for years. The activation of the snapback mechanism therefore cannot significantly alter its current situation or create overwhelming financial and economic pressure. What has emerged instead is an attempt by certain actors to whip up a negative psychological climate, magnifying the potential fallout of the mechanism and stirring public anxiety.
Yet as Iran’s Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has emphasized, those who sow despair among the people and undermine national cohesion are, in effect, serving the enemy’s interests. The goal of adversaries is to use the snapback mechanism and sanctions as tools to apply more pressure on Iran and to wring out further concessions.
Naturally, the imposition of any sanction comes with consequences. But Iran has repeatedly proven over the years that it can withstand such measures while continuing on a path of development and progress. The world has seen with its own eyes Iran’s scientific and technological advances across diverse fields despite mounting restrictions.
For this reason, the continuation of sanctions and hostile policies against Iran will ultimately work against Europe and the wider West. It would be in their own interest to change tack and pursue cooperation and constructive engagement with Tehran rather than persisting with policies that harm themselves as much as anyone else.