Recent reports on the ongoing conflict involving Iran have sparked intense debate over the effectiveness of U.S. economic and military measures, according to recent analysis from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. A Sept. 1 Reuters report asserted that the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is succeeding “where years of sanctions failed” by halting Iranian crude exports. Meanwhile, a Sept. 10 Journal report raised doubts about the blockade’s efficacy because Iran has managed to resume assembling ballistic missiles. However, according to former Treasury Department sanctions official and Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior fellow Mr. Maleki, these assessments get the war backward.
How Economic Sanctions Enabled Early Military Victories
The conflict is primarily a story of long-term economic sanctions paving the way for decisive military victories, which in turn allowed the United States to exert acute pressure on the Iranian economy. According to Mr. Maleki, years of financial isolation left Tehran structurally incapable of defending its own airspace when the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Feb. 28. In the opening 12 hours of the war, nearly 900 strikes hit targets across Iran.
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Israel claimed air superiority within a single day of the initial strikes, successfully destroying roughly 85% of Iran’s total air defenses within three weeks, according to data outlined in recent policy assessments.
Leadership Losses and the Speed of Air Dominance
The opening wave of airstrikes proved devastating to the nation’s military hierarchy. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died during the initial assault alongside dozens of senior commanders and officials, including the armed forces’ chief of staff.
Analysts point out that this speed of military domination was only possible because prior sanctions had systematically denied Iran the essential capital, modern technology, and specialized parts required to maintain a capable, functioning defense infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz stop Iranian oil?
According to a Sept. 1 Reuters report, the blockade successfully stopped Iranian crude exports, achieving what years of prior economic sanctions alone could not.
How quickly did Israel achieve air superiority?
Israel achieved air superiority within one day of the Feb. 28 attacks, according to reporting from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and eliminated about 85% of Iran’s air defenses in three weeks.
What impact did the initial strikes have on Iran’s leadership?
The opening wave of nearly 900 U.S. and Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior commanders, including the armed forces’ chief of staff.
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