Assessing the European Union's Sanctions Policy: Iran as a Case Study

The European Union (EU) has recently increased its use of sanctions. They are often used as a tool to coerce states into changing problematic behaviour, but the EU does not always aim to change behaviour or induce a cost—at times the purpose is broader, for example, to signal that something is being done to address a grave violation. This paper examines the effectiveness of EU sanctions as a policy tool. It examines the coercive measures in place against Iran in particular, and addresses ways in which sanctions can be used to curb the Iranian nuclear programme.