Date of Award

Spring 6-14-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.A. in International Studies

Organizational Unit

Josef Korbel School of International Studies, International Studies

First Advisor

Ahmed Abdrabou

Second Advisor

Mayumi Beckelheimer

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Sanctions, Iran, Nuclear program, Nuclear weapons, Non-proliferation, U.S. foreign policy, Middle East, Economic warfare, Iran nuclear deal, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Maximum Pressure Campaign, Economic coercion, Global security

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with a particular emphasis on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the Maximum Pressure Campaign (MPC). Using the Economic Coercion Trilemma framework, this research analyzes the impact of these sanctions regimes on Iran’s nuclear program through the lenses of efficacy, political feasibility, and unintended consequences. Ultimately this study explores the question: Could sustained sanctions have constrained Iran’s access to critical resources, effectively halting its pursuit of nuclear weapons? The findings suggest that while both the JCPOA and MPC had varying degrees of success, neither fully achieved their desired objective of halting Iran’s nuclear development. This analysis contributes to the broader discourse on the limits of sanctions as a tool for nuclear non-proliferation and offers insights into optimizing future sanctions strategy.

Copyright Date

4-14-2025

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Zoey E. Weiss

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

69 pgs

File Size

1.0 MB

Download



Share

COinS