My point was the opposite: Sanctions in Iran worked because they were targeted at the higher ups and made them suffer. (Edit: I'm not trying to go back and forth with you, just clarifying what I meant because it seemed misunderstood.)

> I think Iran could see another uprising on the horizon, which I guess is the point of making the people suffer.

I believe that research shows that this never works. I don't want to say never, but I can't think of a situation when it has worked.