US pressure on Iran starting to tell as sanctions and blockade bite

DUBAI — Top Iranian officials have warned that the United States' economic blockade and sanctions are starting to take a toll on the country's economy, according to three senior Iranian sources. The U.S. has stepped up pressure on Iran in a bid to secure concessions during ongoing negotiations, which have so far been unsuccessful.

Despite Iran's ability to evade sanctions for years, the latest U.S. measures have left the regime in a more vulnerable position with limited avenues to generate foreign currency or purchase essential goods, the sources explained. The campaign targeting Iran's access to international financial networks, a long-standing method to sustain its economy, poses a significant threat, the sources noted.

The economic campaign's success in breaking the ongoing conflict stalemate would be welcome news for U.S. officials, yet Iran has also threatened military escalation in response to the mounting pressure, intensifying tensions at a crucial juncture. As petrol stocks dwindle and the Iranian currency continues to plummet, the strain on the country's economy becomes increasingly apparent.