"If Iran is cut off by its major trade and investment partners, Tehran may just change course—because there is nothing the regime fears more than a counterrevolution by Iran's dissatisfied, economically disadvantaged youth."

A well reasoned argument, but essentially the same argument that has been made each time sanctions have been suggested in the 20th and 21st centuries. Empirically, how often have sanctions achieved their stated goals? Apart from achieving their designed ends, have sanctions proven more likely to unite factions as common victims or have they fomented revolutionary fervor?

Sanctions will probably on serve to kick the can down the road. However, this is a case where that may actually work to the benefit of the US. Especially if Afghanistan and Iraq evolve into successful states.