Trump Plans Return to Maximum Pressure on Iran

President-elect Donald Trump plans to reinstate his 'maximum pressure' strategy on Iran, targeting its oil exports and economic stability as soon as he takes office. This approach mirrors his first term's tactics, aiming to cripple Iran's ability to fund militant proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump's administration intends to impose stricter sanctions, potentially cutting Iranian oil exports significantly, which currently exceed 1.5 million barrels per day. However, experts doubt the effectiveness of this strategy, as Iran has already dismissed the prospect of negotiations under coercion, emphasizing that the same tactics will yield similar failures. Additionally, Trump's return to hardline policies may face challenges as Middle Eastern partners have shifted alliances and lost faith in U.S. commitments amid rising tensions in the region. The anticipated shift comes at a turbulent time in the Middle East, following escalating hostilities triggered by recent conflicts involving Israel and Hamas.