US sanctions against Iran aimed at ‘regime change’

The United States is seeking a change of government in Iran by imposing economic sanctions on the country, but that goal cannot be achieved, says an analyst.

“There are people in the American government who have said clearly that their objective with the sanctions is to cause regime change in Iran and that they hope that the result of sanctions will be an economic destabilization and hence that the government will be changed. So I think that’s the context,” Frank Emspak, executive director with the Workers Independent News, told Press TV.

“I also believe that the United States has a linchpin in this game – Saudi Arabia. The United States needs the Saudis to pump more oil to make up for the lack of oil from Iran. They need to pump it in such a way that the price is stable and now because of the [Saudi dissident journalist Jamal] Khashoggi killing, there are major issues with this… So yes, clearly, these sanctions are not going to be helpful to Iran. Clearly there are those in this country who wish that sanctions result in regime change. But I don’t think, given the present balance of forces, that these plans are going to be so easily accomplished,” he added.

US President Donald Trump announced in May that Washington was pulling out of the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which lifted nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program.

A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector.

The Trump administration is preparing to launch the second wave of sanctions against Iran as of November 4 in which a universal ban on the country’s oil exports appears to be a primary objective.

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Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif says the United States will fail to achieve its goals by imposing new sanctions against Tehran.

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