Iran under pressure: sanctions bite as Strait of Hormuz looms
Iran shows no clear sign of mass unrest despite decades of sanctions, but economists warn living standards are deteriorating as purchasing power declines. While oil sales to China provide a potential lifeline, Tehran’s leverage—most notably its stance on the Strait of Hormuz—coupled with a UAE move to sever trade could reshape the economic fallout. Analysts say many Iranians rely on digital assets and gold to protect savings, and while sanctions are intensifying pressure and shaping diplomacy, there are still no widespread protests yet; the global response and timing of U.S. pressure remain pivotal.
