Abstract
Kahalzadeh reveals that maximum pressure sanctions altered the social class structure of Iran, moving a significant portion of the middle class to the poverty level. Iran's middle class has shrunk from 45 percent of the population in 2018 to 30 percent in March 2020. The IRGC has taken advantage of economic hardship by making itself economically indispensable. It uses charity-based student camps to provide relief to poor areas. Sanctions have led to political consolidation for hardliners and a decimation of more liberal, middle class elements in society. Maximum pressure, therefore, has stigmatized the prospect of engagement with the West.