The Obama Administration’s policy of containment and deterrence against Iran, in the hopes of bringing that regime into compliance with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, has many aspects–there are the official sanctions that will be voted on in the UN next month. But there are also unofficial sanctions, the gathering campaign of major businesses deciding not to do business with Iran. The Times describes the program here. There are also covert activities going on, which include efforts–often successful, it seems–to sabotage the Iranian nuclear program.
Taken together, these are increasing the pressure on the regime significantly…and the shame of international isolation fuels the anger of the Iranian public toward its government, despite the regime’s largely successful efforts to suppress the protest movement.