October 10, 2025Open Access

The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Iran’s Regional Influence (2017-2021)

Key Points

Sanctions have strengthened Iran's ideology, yet diminished its regional influence over five years.
The study reveals that despite economic oppression, Iran maintained its behavior in the region.
Using Joseph Nye's smart power theory, qualitative methods were utilized to assess Iran's evolving position.
The findings suggest ongoing US pressure has complex impacts on Iran’s regional role and response.

Abstract

This study examines how the U.S. sanctions from 2009 to 2021 impact Iranian regional influence throughout the Middle East. It analyzes this issue using qualitative methods. In this study, Joseph Nye's theory of smart power (combining both soft and hard power) was used. Finally, the results suggest that U.S. pressure has strengthened Iran's ideology, while sanctions have worsened the country's economic oppression. However, the investigation concluded that the sanctions shaped Iran's role in the region and diminished Iran's influence in the region, but failed to change Iran's behaviour in the region.

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Cite This Study

Rebaz Saleem Kheder (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68e861907ef2f04ca37e3d58 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31918/twejer.2582.15