Veteran Rep. Says Severe Economic Sanctions Alone Won’t End War with Iran

Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., stated on Thursday that severe economic sanctions alone are insufficient to end the war with Iran.

McCormick argued that President Donald Trump may need to maintain military pressure despite his administration’s recent focus on economically isolating Tehran. “You’re not going to do it just through economic sanctions,” McCormick said. “It’s not going to happen.”

Trump recently announced what he called an “Economic D-Day” against Iran, warning countries against providing Tehran with financial, commercial, or logistical lifelines. The escalation follows months of conflict and stalled diplomatic efforts to reach a broader agreement with Iran.

McCormick, who served in the Marines and Navy, noted that Iran can still obtain supplies through land routes and air transport despite economic restrictions. “In my opinion, we should take the gloves off right from the beginning and hammer them,” McCormick said. He argued that Trump’s earlier demand for “unconditional surrender” offered the best path to eliminating the long-term threat posed by Tehran.

The Georgia Republican emphasized that prolonged wars generally become less popular and overwhelming pressure could bring the conflict to a faster conclusion. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously stated the administration was preparing economic isolation measures unlike any used before.

McCormick also warned about America’s fiscal trajectory, calling deficit spending a bipartisan failure and proposing eliminating the Senate filibuster specifically for passing the federal budget. “We deficit spend into oblivion,” he said, warning that rising debt-servicing costs and looming problems with Social Security and Medicare could inflict serious damage on the economy.

McCormick promoted his Stop the Swamp Act, legislation aimed at federal employees who refuse to cooperate with congressional oversight. “If you’re always pleading the Fifth and you’re a federal employee, you shouldn’t be employed anymore,” he said.