TEHRAN: Donald Trump pursued a policy of “maximum pressure”, including punishing sanctions, against the Islamic Republic of Iran when he was last in the White House.

now this He will begin another term as US president Concern is growing that the same events will continue in Tehran in January.

During Trump’s first term, the United States killed a respected Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps member The general carried out an air strike on Baghdad airport in Iraq.

Such a history between two countries that have long been enemies casts a dark shadow on the possibility of improved relations.

“It will be detrimental to Iran,” said Bashir Abbaspour, 37, who works for a private company, reflecting widespread anxiety in Iran over news of Trump’s victory on Wednesday (November 6).

His victory came amid turmoil triggered by an unprecedented war in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Attack by Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas About Israel.

This war has now spread to Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Hezbollah, another ally of Iran; It itself launched two unprecedented attacks on Israel in April and October, using drones and missiles.

Iranians best remember Trump for his campaign to intensify sanctions and for Washington’s withdrawal from the landmark 2018 nuclear deal that gave Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear ambitions.

The collapse of the deal had a negative impact on ordinary Iranians, who are grappling with skyrocketing inflation and a sharp depreciation of the rial against the US dollar.

Abbaspour said about Trump’s return: “Sanctions will increase and with it prices will increase. This is not a good thing for Iran.”

Washington officially cut off relations with Tehran a year after the Islamic revolution in 1979, and relations have been frozen since then.