Challenges of Sanctioning Iran in the Interdependence Era of the Political Economy of Energy

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in International Relations, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

10.22081/psq.2024.69487.2898

Abstract

The international political economy is built on indicators of reciprocal and multilateral cooperation among actors, with economic interdependence shaping the primary rationale behind their actions. Each actor in this economy fulfills a specific role within the international division of labor. This study seeks to uncover the mechanisms used by the United States to constrain the Islamic Republic of Iran, focusing on the core issue of the Iran-U.S. conflict within an economically interdependent framework. The research question is thus framed as: What mechanisms does the United States employ to limit Iran, particularly in the sphere of political economy, during this era of economic interdependence? It appears that, as the U.S. acts as a balancer for emerging global actors in economics and politics, it employs mechanisms to distort Iran's energy sector, disregarding the broader necessities of the international political economy. This creates challenges for the global economy and regional politics in Iran. Possessing sufficient influence in global policy enables the U.S. to impose restrictions on Iran's monetary, financial, banking, and trade exchanges. Using a descriptive-analytical approach and grounded in the theory of interdependence, this study concludes that economic sanctions on Iran challenge the Islamic Republic's potential for establishing a role in global economics and politics. These sanctions elevate the level of economic threats Iran faces amid economic sanctions and strategic limitations. In this age of economic interdependence and international political economy mechanisms, Iran is confronted with signs of tactical and functional restrictions embodied as economic sanctions. In response, the Islamic Republic has leveraged communicative action mechanisms to minimize the impact of sanctions and strengthen its regional role within international politics.

Keywords

References

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