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Half a year into the war, the United States still fails to strangle Iran's economy

The US has imposed severe economic sanctions on Iran, but the country's economy remains resilient.

By Ignacio Fariza·Aug 21·elpais.com·1 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama 3.3 70B

Despite the sanctions, Iran's economy has not collapsed, thanks to its preparations for a resistance economy and the ability to evade some of the sanctions.

Why it matters

The situation in Iran matters to Europe because it affects global energy markets and has implications for international relations, particularly between the US and Iran.

Imagine you have a big jar of cookies, but someone puts a lock on it so you can't get any. That's kind of what's happening with Iran's economy. The US has put sanctions on Iran, which means Iran can't sell its oil or use its money freely.

Analysis

Iran's Resistance Economy

Iran has been preparing for a resistance economy for decades, with a focus on substitution of imports, dispersal of power plants, and a machinery to evade petroleum sanctions. This has helped the country to withstand the economic pressure from the US.

80% Inflation

The inflation rate in Iran is over 80% interannually, which has a significant impact on the standard of living, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. The price of food has more than doubled in the last 12 months, making it difficult for families to make ends meet.

$100 Billion Frozen Assets

The US has frozen over $100 billion of Iranian assets, which has limited the country's ability to access international financial markets. This, combined with the naval blockade, has made it difficult for Iran to export energy, its main source of revenue.

Key points

  • The US has imposed severe economic sanctions on Iran
  • Iran's economy has not collapsed despite the sanctions
  • Inflation in Iran is over 80% interannually
The Upside

If the US and Iran can come to a peaceful resolution, it could lead to increased stability in the region and potentially lower energy prices globally. This could also lead to increased economic cooperation between Iran and other countries, including those in Europe.

The Downside

If the situation escalates further, it could lead to a full-scale war, which would have devastating consequences for the region and the global economy. The humanitarian crisis in Iran could also worsen, leading to increased suffering for the civilian population.

Market signals

OIL
  • OIL The conflict between the US and Iran has led to increased uncertainty in global energy markets, which could drive up oil prices.

AI-generated analysis of potential market relevance. Not financial advice.

Originally reported at

elpais.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsiranus-politicseconomysanctionsenergy

Author

Ignacio Fariza

Intelligence analysis by

Llama 3.3 70B

Published

Aug 21, 2026

Source

elpais.com

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Topics

iranus-politicseconomysanctionsenergy

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