The United States’ sanctions on Iran have played a pivotal role in crippling the country’s economy, a factor that has been central to the wave of protests currently sweeping the nation. Yet, despite this long history, former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that he wants to “help” Iranians amid the unrest.
In a post on his Truth Social account on Saturday, Trump wrote: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” He has reiterated similar statements in other public appearances.
What Sparked the Protests in Iran?
The latest demonstrations began at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28, 2025, after the Iranian rial collapsed to record lows against the US dollar. Shopkeepers closed their businesses to protest soaring prices, signaling widespread economic frustration.
The unrest has since spread nationwide, escalating into a broader challenge to the country’s leadership. By early January 2026, the rial was trading at over 1.4 million to the US dollar, a sharp decline from roughly 700,000 in early 2025. This rapid depreciation has caused severe inflation, pushing food prices up by an average of 72 percent compared to the previous year.
A Brief History of US Sanctions Against Iran
Iran is among the most heavily sanctioned nations globally. The first sanctions were imposed in November 1979, following the Iranian Revolution and the US embassy hostage crisis. This period marked the end of the Shah’s regime, who had previously ruled with backing from the United States, and highlighted the US role in Iran’s political history, including the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh supported by US and British intelligence.
Over the years, sanctions intensified:
- 1995: President Bill Clinton issued executive orders restricting US companies from investing in Iranian oil, gas, or trading with Iran.
- 2006: The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program, freezing the assets of individuals and companies involved.
- 2015: Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with major powers, lifting many sanctions in exchange for limiting nuclear enrichment.
- 2018: Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA, reinstating and expanding sanctions, including targeting petrochemicals, metals, and senior officials.
- 2020: Following the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, additional sanctions were imposed, further isolating Iran economically.
- 2021-2025: The Biden administration largely maintained the Trump-era sanctions, and UN sanctions were reimposed in September 2025 over Iran’s nuclear program.
These sanctions have not only constrained Iran’s nuclear ambitions but have also had devastating effects on the country’s civilian population.
Economic and Social Impacts of Sanctions on Iran
Income and GDP:
Iran’s GDP per capita dropped from over $8,000 in 2012 to just above $5,000 by 2024. The steepest declines occurred after the Trump administration reimposed sanctions, sharply reducing oil revenues and access to global finance.
Oil Exports:
Iran’s crude oil exports fell dramatically, from around 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2011 to just over 400,000 bpd in 2020. While exports rose to about 1.5 mbpd by 2025, they remain far below pre-2018 levels, severely limiting government revenue.
Currency Collapse and Inflation:
The Iranian rial has lost tremendous value, exacerbating inflation and making imports prohibitively expensive. While a weaker currency can theoretically boost exports, sanctions have blocked most of Iran’s international trade, leaving the economy in disarray.
Aviation and Public Safety:
Sanctions have prevented Iran from purchasing new aircraft, resulting in a spike in deadly plane crashes over decades. Between 1979 and 2023, more than 2,000 fatalities occurred due to outdated or unsafe aircraft, highlighting the human cost of economic isolation.
Corruption and the “Sanctions Economy”:
Experts argue that sanctions have created opportunities for corruption. Trade and finance shifted into informal or black-market channels, benefiting elites while ordinary citizens suffered. Maryam Alemzadeh, a historian at the University of Oxford, notes that sanctions “have created new opportunities for corruption and given rise to – sometimes nameless and faceless – moguls that have swallowed the country’s economy.”
The Human Toll of Sanctions
The Iranian middle class has borne the brunt of the sanctions’ impact. Research by Mohammad Reza Farzanegan (Marburg University) and Nader Habibi (Brandeis University) shows that from 2012 to 2019, the middle class shrank by an average of 17 percentage points due to sanctions. After Trump’s maximum pressure campaign, the shrinkage increased to 28 percentage points, pushing teachers, civil servants, and fixed-salary workers into poverty.
Purchasing Power:
The collapse of the rial decimated purchasing power. Salaries that once supported middle-class lifestyles no longer suffice for basic necessities, forcing workers into low-paying, informal jobs without social protection.
Healthcare and Life Expectancy:
Sanctions have disrupted medicine imports, with essential drugs like anti-seizure medications increasing in price by up to 300 percent. A 2020 study shows that sanctioned nations typically lose 1.2 to 1.4 years in life expectancy on average, with women disproportionately affected.
Environmental and Cognitive Impacts:
The sanctions have hindered environmental reforms and the adoption of cleaner energy standards, contributing to severe air pollution. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to poor air quality negatively affects children’s cognitive development in cities like Tehran.
Conclusion
While political statements like Trump’s “we want to help” may make headlines, the reality for Iranians is starkly different. Decades of US-led sanctions—intended to pressure the government—have profoundly affected everyday life, shrinking the middle class, limiting access to healthcare, and fueling economic hardship. The protests in Iran are not only a political movement but also a direct response to decades of economic strain, much of which has been exacerbated by foreign intervention.
To truly help the people of Iran, any meaningful assistance would need to address the long-term economic and humanitarian consequences of these sanctions, not merely offer rhetoric from afar.
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