Economist says US sanctions against Iran repeat failed tactics

The United States' latest economic offensive against Iran, touted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as "an economic D-Day," is drawing sharp skepticism from an economist who sees it as a retreat to failed tactics after nearly six months of inconclusive military strikes.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday threatened Iran with "an economic D-Day," announcing a wave of new sanctions aimed at further isolating the country.

The U.S. is launching an economic onslaught against Iran's financial connections around the globe, said Bessent at a press conference. "Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline" that sustains the country, he said.

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, a professor of economics at Virginia Tech, questioned whether the new U.S. economic pressure will force Iran to back down.

"Usually you impose sanctions, as U.S. did in 2011, they raised it to comprehensive, then in 2018 it became maximum pressure, and usually you ratchet up the sanctions, and if they don't work, then you resort to war. That's the historic record. Now, U.S. ratcheted up the sanctions, then decided they don't work, went to war, and now the war didn't work, so they've gone back to sanctions again," said the professor.

The professor described the move as "anticlimactic," noting that after 50 days of bombing Iran, the U.S. is now falling back on the same financial sanctions it has imposed before.

"So this is a bit anticlimactic if you like, to now after 50 odd days of bombing Iran coming and saying that we want to impose the same old sanctions, mostly financial sanctions, but with greater seriousness. I think the blockade is probably going be still the most important addition to the sanctions package, because that didn't exist before, and just 47 years, the U.S. Navy was not in the Persian Gulf," he said.

Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Seyed Ali Madanizadeh said in an X post that "They cannot cut off our financial lifelines," adding that Iran has been "planning for some time to counter the sanctions."

Economist says US sanctions against Iran repeat failed tactics

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Swift Eagle 2026 joint training for airborne troops from China and Belarus concluded with a closing ceremony at a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force training center on Monday.

The exercise focused on joint urban counter-terrorism operations, aiming to strengthen the combined operational capabilities of the troops in carrying out counter-terrorism missions.

During the joint training, troops from both sides operated in mixed task groups and conducted specialized training subjects including surveillance and counter-surveillance, seizure-and-control and protection, elimination and defense, in a bid to sharpen their capabilities in joint counter-terrorism operations.

The troops from the two countries also carried out themed workshops, sports competitions, cultural exchanges and other activities to learn from each other's training concepts and methods, enhance the friendship, and reach a consensus on cooperation.

"In this joint training, both sides have well honed their art of tactical cooperation and command coordination, effectively tested and enhanced the two militaries' joint counter-terrorism and emergency response capabilities. They have also accumulated valuable experience, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent execution of various joint missions," said Jiang Heping, a team leader from the Chinese troops.

Marking its fourth iteration, this joint exercise serves as an important platform for counter‑terrorism collaboration between the Chinese and Belarusian militaries. It is of great significance in strengthening practical bilateral cooperation and contributing to regional peace and stability.

China-Belarus Swift Eagle 2026 joint training concludes