ABSTRACT
All sanctions, particularly those in the last two decades, have had negative effects on Iran’s integration with the world and prevented economic growth. Although sanctions have been the main obstacles to reconstruction of the oil and gas industries, it was the government’s privatisation plan that has in effect failed and become corrupted due to the effects of sanctions. Sanctions did lead to a nuclear deal, although they did not change Iran’s foreign policy, particularly towards the US. A policy of reimposing sanctions with the aim of regime change was in turn adapted by the Trump administration. The question is whether the economic effects of sanctions will lead to political change. Given that the middle class is an important pillar for reform and political change, this research looks at the economic effects of sanctions on the economic condition of the middle class and its demands for change.
