Editorial Board
The U.S. Can’t Challenge Iran Without Allies
The Trump administration should avoid escalating its quarrel with Europe over sanctions.
A U.S. divided from its allies suits them fine.
Photographer: Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
The Trump administration seems determined to cut Iran off from the global financial system. As it reimposes sanctions on the regime next month, it may take aim at the Swift messaging network that enables cross-border payments worldwide. This is a bad idea.
Meddling with Swift would widen a growing rift between the U.S. and the European Union. The priority should be to repair that alliance. Putting it under further strain would not serve U.S. interests and would undermine the broader goal of changing Iran’s behavior.