Bloomberg
Iran Pressure Campaign Lacks Clear Off Ramp
Sunday, August 16, 2026
Jen Gavito, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and retired Vice Admiral Robert Harward offered differing views on the effectiveness of US economic pressure against Iran in a Bloomberg interview. Gavito stated that sanctions alone are unlikely to provide a resolution path. Harward argued that sanctions can weaken Tehran when combined with political and military pressure.
