Weakness by USA?

Investment Analysis Clubs Macro Economic Trends and Risks
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https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/us/politics/iran-oil-sanctions.html
U.S. Encourages Flow of Iranian Oil While It Battles Iran

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said removing sanctions on Iranian oil would lower global prices.

The Trump administration said on Thursday that it planned to remove sanctions on Iranian oil, an unorthodox move intended to lower surging crude prices, which have hurt U.S. consumers and helped Iran profit. The strategy would be a sharp reversal from years of maximum-pressure sanctions aimed to cripple Iran’s economy.

The plan, described by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reflects the administration’s desperation to reduce oil prices, encouraging Iran to sell more oil even while it is at war with the United States.

Since the war started late last month, Iran has continued to export its oil, most of which is sold to China, despite U.S. sanctions. But the confrontation with Iran has revealed an economic paradox: Because the war has caused global oil prices to surge, Iran has actually been profiting from it.

President Trump said on Thursday that the United States would do “whatever is necessary” to contain oil prices.

Because this war is unpopular within the USA?

Mr. Bessent said the sanctions exemption would apply to about 140 million barrels of Iranian oil that were currently at sea. The United States could also do another release of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to add to global supplies, he said, but ruled out intervening financially in oil futures markets to lower prices.

Further lowering that strategic reserve to lowest level in 45 years.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/19/iranian-oil-sanctions-middle-east-war-00835804?utm_medium=activitypub&utm_source=flipboard
The Treasury secretary said the Trump administration has several “levers” to pull as war in the Middle East roils oil markets.

Sorry Mr Secretary this “lever” is being forced open by the unexpected continued resistance of Iran. An unpopular war may have political consequences this November.
Miscalculation by the administration. Killing the Iranian leader did NOT lead to more compliant leaders or an uprising resulting in a short war. Rather the attacks have resulted in a defiant Iran without a defined ending. The off ramp of declaring victory & ending air attacks seems to be evaporating as the administration is considering lifting sanctions. How can this be sold as “victory”?

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“Weakness”? I think you misspelled “stupidity”.

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Or magical thinking. This is one of the consequences of dismissing dozens of SME’s who have studied Iran and have been involved in the delicate balance of managing economic sanctions with the impact on the world economy.

And this is a matter than the U.S. has been working on for years- first with crushing economic sanctions on Iran and then on energy sanctions against the Russians. It was easily anticipated- just not by the apparatchiks who wield power now. If the king wishes it, it must be so.

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