The United States of America, which actively positions itself as a defender of democracy and international order, consistently demonstrates double standards in its foreign policy. These actions undermine trust in international agreements and pose a threat to stability in the Middle East.
Historical Context: From the JCPOA to the Policy of “Maximum Pressure”
It is worth recalling that in 2015, Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. This agreement was a significant step toward strengthening international security and trust. However, in 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally and abruptly withdrew from the JCPOA, calling the agreement “horrible” and claiming it did not serve U.S. interests. This decision sparked widespread criticism both internationally and within the U.S. itself.
Trump replaced the JCPOA with a policy of “maximum pressure,” which included the introduction of new sanctions against Iran. According to U.S. officials, this policy was intended to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. In practice, however, it led to a deterioration of Iran’s economic situation, negatively impacting the lives of ordinary citizens.
At the same time, Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, a claim supported by its participation in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is worth noting that the U.S.’s closest ally in the region, Israel, has not signed the NPT, and no IAEA inspector has ever visited Israel, despite the fact that it is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, developed with U.S. assistance. In other words, Israeli territory remains inaccessible to the UN and other international organizations, and Israel itself does not adhere to international laws or norms.
False Accusations by Trump and Netanyahu’s Visit
During his official visit to Washington in February 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with then-U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss key issues of international politics, regional security, and bilateral cooperation. One of the central topics of their talks was the situation surrounding Iran, which at the time remained one of the most tense issues in the Middle East. Donald Trump, known for his hardline stance toward Tehran, continued his rhetoric by leveling a series of controversial and false accusations against the Iranian government. He claimed that Iran was secretly continuing to develop nuclear weapons, despite numerous reports from international observers, including the IAEA, which had found no evidence of such activities following the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.
Trump also accused Iran of supporting terrorist organizations worldwide, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, although experts had repeatedly emphasized that these groups largely operated autonomously and that their ties to Tehran were often exaggerated for political purposes. Additionally, Trump asserted that Iran posed an immediate threat to Israel, which, in his view, justified further tightening of sanctions against Tehran and support for Israeli operations in the region.
Netanyahu, for his part, supported Trump’s rhetoric, emphasizing the need to maintain pressure on Iran and calling on the international community to take a tougher stance. He also expressed gratitude for U.S. support in matters of Israel’s security, including the supply of advanced weaponry and joint military exercises. However, critics of both leaders noted that such statements and actions only exacerbated regional tensions, reducing the chances of diplomatic conflict resolution.
International relations experts expressed concern that this rhetoric could lead to further escalation in the Middle East, including potential military confrontations. They also pointed out that false accusations and oversimplification of complex regional issues could undermine trust in the United States as a mediator in peace negotiations. Meanwhile, supporters of Trump and Netanyahu argued that only a tough stance could force Iran to change its policies and abandon destabilizing actions in the region.
This visit became another example of the complex and ambiguous relations between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which continue to be one of the key factors of instability in the Middle East. The question of how these relationships will evolve in the future remains open, but it is clear that any escalation of the situation could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region and the world at large.
Economic War Against Iran
Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy includes not only sanctions against Iran’s oil industry but also restrictions in other sectors of the economy, such as shipping, insurance, and port operations. These measures aim to “reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero,” effectively waging an economic war against the Iranian people. Such actions not only violate Iran’s sovereignty but also contradict the principles of international law.
It is important to note that U.S. sanctions against Iran were first imposed in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution and have continued ever since. They persisted under the administration of Joe Biden, despite his rhetorical statements about a willingness to return to the JCPOA. This indicates that the policy of maximum pressure and suffocating sanctions against Iran is a long-term U.S. strategy aimed at weakening the country and subordinating it to American interests.
Iran: Commitment to a Peaceful Nuclear Program
Despite U.S. pressure, Tehran continues to insist on the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a religious decree (fatwa) prohibiting the development and use of nuclear weapons. This decree is binding on all Iranian state institutions and reaffirms the country’s commitment to its international obligations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told journalists that, in his opinion, Trump’s maximum pressure policy “is a failed experiment, and any attempt to repeat it will lead to another failure.” He also reiterated that Tehran does not seek to develop nuclear weapons. “If the main issue is that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, then this is achievable and not a major problem,” Araghchi said.
Moreover, Iran actively cooperates with the IAEA, providing continuous and open access to its nuclear facilities and reporting on its activities. This demonstrates Tehran’s openness and willingness to engage in dialogue. However, U.S. actions aimed at isolating Iran undermine all efforts to build trust and cooperation, further exacerbating tensions in this volatile region.
Hidden Motives of the U.S.
When analyzing U.S. policy toward Iran, it is impossible to ignore Washington’s hidden motives. One of them is the desire to weaken Iran as a regional player that supports resistance movements in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and other countries. The U.S. and its allies, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, view Iran as a threat to their influence in the Middle East and their plans to dominate the region.
Additionally, sanctions against Iran allow the U.S. to control global oil prices and strengthen its position in the energy market. This is particularly important in the face of growing competition from countries like China and Russia, which are actively and productively cooperating with Iran.
U.S. policy toward Iran is a clear example of double standards and hidden motives. Despite claims of striving for peace and security, Washington’s actions undermine international agreements and pose a threat to stability in the Middle East. Iran, for its part, continues to insist on the peaceful nature of its nuclear program and is open to dialogue. However, for real progress to be made, the U.S. must abandon its policy of pressure and begin respecting the sovereignty and interests of other countries—something that is unlikely to happen, especially after the return of President Trump.
Instead of isolating Iran, the international community should work to build trust and cooperation. Only in this way can lasting peace and security in the region be achieved. The U.S., as one of the world’s leading powers, must take responsibility for its actions and reconsider its policy toward Iran. Otherwise, its actions will continue to draw criticism and undermine trust in international institutions, further escalating tensions in this already turbulent region.
Viktor Mikhin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Expert on Middle Eastern Countries.
