Editor's note: Wang Jin is a commentator for CGTN. Wang is an assistant director of the Institute of Middle East Studies at Northwest University of China. The article reflects the author's opinion and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The United States keeps projecting military pressure toward Iran. From Washington's perspective, as the unrest inside Iran caused by economic and social problems continues, such military threats would represent a significant form of "help" for the Iranian people, with U.S. President Donald Trump promising that "help is on its way."

Current trends suggest a growing likelihood toward a potential U.S. military action against Iran. For one, Washington has issued calls for U.S. civilians to leave Iran; for the other, it has begun reducing personnel at U.S. military bases in countries neighboring Iran, while simultaneously reinforcing its military presence and deploying additional forces. All these latest developments suggest that U.S. military attacks might be just a matter of time.

The current wave of intense domestic unrest in Iran can be traced primarily to deeply-rooted economic and social problems. In recent years, the pace of currency depreciation has accelerated, while the cost of living has continued to rise, significantly increasing the economic burden on ordinary Iranians. This trend became particularly pronounced in 2025, when the rapid depreciation of the Iranian currency further eroded purchasing power. Public frustration accumulated over time, ultimately culminating in large-scale protests and demonstrations across the country from late December 2025.

However, it should be emphasized that Iran's current economic difficulties are fundamentally rooted in the long-standing sanctions and economic blockade imposed by the United States. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Washington has regarded Iran as a major political and strategic adversary and has subjected it to sustained economic pressure and punitive measures.

Prior to the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Iran had been the country facing the most extensive U.S. sanctions. Even after 2022, Iran has remained among the most heavily sanctioned states by Washington.

Following the beginning of Trump's second presidential term in 2025, U.S. sanctions and economic containment against Iran were further intensified. Restrictions on Iran's external energy exports significantly constrained its access to foreign revenue, sharply worsened its domestic economic conditions, and led to a substantial decline in government fiscal income. As a result, Iran's economic difficulties deepened further, exacerbating existing structural vulnerabilities and social pressures.

Against this backdrop, if its stated objective is genuinely to help improve the economic and social conditions of the Iranian people and to restore political order within Iran, the United States should not resort to military strikes or the escalation of military threats. Instead, by lifting its sanctions on Iran, returning to the framework of the Iran nuclear agreement from which it unilaterally withdrew in 2018, and reengaging Tehran through sustained strategic dialogue, Washington could bring more positive factors for the Iranian economy and help Iranian people out of economic difficulties.

More importantly, military could not help alleviate Iran's domestic economic and social hardships. On the contrary, it would increase the risk of civilian casualties, further heighten internal instability, and exacerbate existing social and economic vulnerabilities. Such an outcome would place Iran's economy and society under even greater strain, running directly counter to the stated U.S. objective of assisting the Iranian people.

U.S. military threats against Iran would not only further deteriorate the living conditions and economic environment faced by the Iranian population, but would also significantly increase the risk of war across the broader region. At present, key countries neighboring Iran – including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – have expressed opposition to unilateral U.S. military action against Iran.

A direct U.S. military strike on Iran could bring neighboring states, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar, into a wider conflict. Any military confrontation against Iran would also place the Strait of Hormuz under serious threat, potentially turning this vital maritime chokepoint into a zone of conflict. Such a development would endanger regional and global energy transportation routes, undermining the economic and political security of neighboring states as well as the international community at large.

In this sense, U.S. military threats toward Iran are not only ineffective as a means of addressing Iran's internal challenges, but also carry the risk of producing far more catastrophic strategic consequences.

Washington's unilateral economic sanctions against Iran have imposed severe burdens on ordinary Iranians, and have significantly constrained the country's ability to address its internal economic and social challenges. If the United States genuinely seeks to help the Iranian people, it should lift its economic sanctions on Iran rather than escalate diplomatic pressure or resort to military threats.