Axios reports US officials say economic sanctions could ultimately inflict more
damage on Tehran than military strikes. US intelligence and open-source
reporting point to a deepening Iranian economic crisis, including gasoline
shortages despite Iran being one of the world’s largest oil producers. One
senior US official said: "Iranians want the bombing to stop, they also want
money. But the priority is almost reversed — what they really want is money."
Another official acknowledged sanctions and a maritime blockade are likely to
take longer than strikes to compel Tehran back to the negotiating table; Trump
has not authorized a full-scale bombing campaign. The extended timeline could
deepen Republican political risk by forcing them during the midterms to defend
an unpopular war and high oil prices.
