‘Economic D-day’: how desperate is Trump to end Iran war? — The Latest

In this episode, host Lucy Hough interviews Julian Borgia, The Guardian's senior international correspondent, about the US's recent shift in strategy towards Iran through economic sanctions. The US has launched Operation Economic Outcast, which aims to impose new sanctions not just on Iran but also on other countries that maintain economic ties with Iran, most notably China. Borgia explains that this marks a clear pivot from prior military actions that did not yield the desired outcomes.

The sanctions are termed 'secondary sanctions', which threaten penalties on countries involved in trade with Iran unless they sever those ties by an unspecified deadline. Primary targets are major players like China, the UAE, Turkey, and India. However, the lack of specific timelines raises concerns about the effectiveness of these sanctions.

Borgia discusses China's potential response, highlighting that Beijing views these sanctions as illegal and is likely to resist conforming to US demands. The conversation delves into the broader impact of such sanctions on Iran's economy, which is already under severe distress, compounded by political unrest and governance challenges. Both speakers reflect on how the US administration hopes to spark popular dissent against the Iranian regime amidst these heightened economic pressures.