Middle East Sanctions - Part.1

Sanctions in the Middle East have played a central role in international efforts to influence political behavior, address security concerns, and promote human rights across the region. Since the mid-20th century, sanctions have been employed primarily by Western powers such as the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations Security Council. Early examples include the UN embargo on Iraq following its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, which aimed to force Saddam Hussein’s withdrawal and later disarmament. Over time, sanctions evolved to target specific regimes or actors rather than entire populations, as seen with the nuclear-related sanctions against Iran starting in 2006.

Iran has been one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the Middle East. U.S. and UN sanctions focused on curbing its nuclear ambitions, financing of terrorism, and regional destabilization efforts. These restrictions intensified until the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered partial relief in exchange for nuclear compliance—though this unravelled after the U.S. withdrew in 2018. Syria has also faced sanctions from the U.S. and EU due to human rights abuses during its civil war. Other cases include sanctions on Libya (under Qaddafi), Yemen (particularly Houthi leaders), and Lebanon (targeting Hezbollah figures). Israel, while rarely sanctioned, has faced international calls for boycotts related to its policies in Palestinian territories.

The implications of these sanctions have been mixed. On one hand, they have weakened authoritarian regimes economically and diplomatically, and signaled international condemnation. On the other, they have often exacerbated humanitarian crises, empowered black markets, and strengthened authoritarian control by fostering siege mentalities. Moreover, secondary sanctions have strained relations between sanctioning powers and other global actors, such as China and Russia. Sanctions remain a key instrument of foreign policy in the Middle East, but their effectiveness and ethical impact continue to be widely debated.