Trump to Return to ‘Maximum Pressure’ Policy Against Iran Regime

The incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump, is poised to maintain the 'maximum pressure' strategy he applied to the Islamic Republic's atomic research program during his first term when he assumes office on January 20, a senior aide disclosed to Le Point.

Massad Boulos, who is expected to serve as the White House advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, informed the French news magazine that although Trump remains resolute in preventing the theocracy’s leadership from developing nuclear weapons, he is still open to diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

“Nevertheless, there are three very important points for him: Iran must absolutely not have nuclear power; Iran’s ballistic missiles pose a risk not only to Israel but also to the Gulf countries; and finally, the problem posed by Iranian proxies in the region, whether in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, or Yemen. Apart from these three axes, Trump did not talk about regime change,” explained the Lebanese-born Boulos.

These remarks align with Trump’s comments during his presidential campaign, when he told reporters in Florida on November 5, “we're not looking to do damage to Iran, but they have -- they can't have a nuclear weapon,” and further stated, “I'd like them to be a very successful country, but they just can't have a nuclear weapon.”

In his previous administration, the former chief executive withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran, imposed sanctions on the state’s energy sector, restricted financial transactions, and ordered the elimination of General Qassem Soleimani, a high-ranking regime official. Many of these measures were later softened under President Joe Biden’s Treasury Department.

Further economic strain on the Islamic Republic is likely to intensify the nation's instability, which is already grappling with capital flight, deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and a 34 percent inflation rate, all while its currency has lost over 90 percent of its value since 2015.