WITH the latest set of sanctions targeting Iran, the US has just performed the last rites of the JCPOA, as the 2015 nuclear deal is formally known.

The measures are designed to hit Iran’s banking, shipping and — most critically — the Islamic Republic’s oil sector, in a strategy to bring Iran to its knees economically. Monday’s reimposition of sanctions is, in fact, a follow-up of the American withdrawal from the multilateral deal in May.

While nearly all the signatories, including the IAEA, had confirmed Tehran was abiding by the deal, President Donald Trump decided to go after Tehran for its “malign” activities in the region, a euphemism for Iran’s geopolitical manoeuvres, such as its support for Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

America’s aims here seem clear: to make Iran’s “economy crumble”, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was quoted as saying. Iran has struck a defiant tone, with President Hassan Rouhani terming the action an “economic war situation” and vowing to break the sanctions.

Interestingly, some of America’s closest allies — eg the Europeans — have said they will help Iran continue to do business. The US has also granted its allies waivers to keep buying Iranian oil for the time being, perhaps realising that pushing Tehran completely out of the world market may destabilise the already fragile global economy.

The US efforts — guided by warmongering hawks — appear designed to provoke Iran into an open confrontation. Also, Israeli officials could hardly contain their glee over the latest developments.

This strategy is akin to playing with fire, for if the US starts a conflict with Iran, the Middle East as a whole may burn. Indeed, Iran is a central actor in many of the geopolitical games currently being played across the Middle East.

However, the countries of the region — the Arabs, Turks and the Iranians — need to shun inviting outside powers and, instead, must set their own house in order and come up with regional solutions to local crises.

Moreover, it is hypocritical for Washington to play global policeman and punish Iran for its ‘bad’ behaviour, when some of its closest allies in the region are guilty of violating human rights; the Jamal Khashoggi murder is a case in point.

Better sense should prevail in Washington and instead of beating the war drums, Mr Trump should think about engaging Iran.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2018