As the West has tightened its sanctions on Iran and as Western leaders have rather proudly spoken of the effect of their policy, I thought it necessary to bring the forgotten group who suffer the most from the sanctions into mainstream discourse. This article indicates the impact of sanctions on the lives of millions of ordinary Iranians, whose situations are far removed from the political concerns of the sanctioning states. In so doing, I will first mention the growing idea of the West as Iran’s national enemy. The construction of this notion is attributed to the impact of sanctions on the daily lives of Iranians, who find these penalties demeaning and unjust. I will take this forward by explaining the side effects of this policy, which have political implications for the West’s dealings with the people of Iran in the long term.

Iran is dodging Western sanctions

Targets foreign banks’ deals with Iran traders

European Union sanctions aimed at stopping Iran’s oil exports

“Iran risks becoming a net oil importer if output rates continue to fall”

Explosion blamed on “gas leakage”

Names not announced

“This political decision employs double standards”

Accused of assisting Iranian officials to circumvent sanctions

Assets of 32 officials are frozen

Move in retaliation at sanctions on fuel imports

Sanctions on 32 Iranian officials

“Our objective is not hurting Iranian people”

“Our enemies cannot harm our strong economy”

“The IRGC is a major participant in illegal conduct”

Indicating concerns about sanctions

Four-fold rise in the price of petrol

Giant was at risk of violating US sanctions

Iran shows eagerness to reopen dialogue

Negotiations to be held from Nov. 15