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Home / US-Israel-Iran / Mearsheimer & Kelanic: Economic D-day on Iran
US‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

August 23, 2026

Mearsheimer & Kelanic: Economic D-day on Iran

Donald Trump has pledged to intensify the U.S. campaign of economic warfare on Tehran, but he faces serious challenges. Iran maintains its ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. And there are growing strains on US naval and munitions stockpiles. Time is not on Trump’s side—and the war will continue to expose serious limits to America’s ability to sustain its traditional military posture in the region.

Read at and Switzerland with Tom Switzer

Featuring

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities

John
Mearsheimer

R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor

University of Chicago

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