Trump turns to economic pain as US bombings fail to sway Iran

The US military campaign against Iran has failed to produce its intended outcome, with Tehran's government refusing to capitulate so far. Facing a shortfall in necessary munitions and reluctance to prolong a war that has grown unpopular at home, the Trump administration is returning to a familiar playbook against Iran: escalating economic sanctions paired with a naval blockade aimed at strangling oil exports.

Officials note the approach echoes an earlier strategy dubbed "maximum pressure." Analysts caution, however, that Iran's economy has since developed a range of alternative trade channels compared with previous sanctions periods, meaning the strategy may not produce the same effect this time.

Washington decision-makers stress that military options remain on the table, but that economic pressure is now the primary tool. Iran, for its part, insists the sanctions target its government rather than its people and says it will not back down.