U.S. sanctions are economic and political measures imposed by the United States government to influence the behavior of other countries, organizations, or individuals. These sanctions can restrict trade, freeze assets, and limit financial transactions, aiming to promote national security, human rights, or foreign policy goals. Sanctions can target specific countries, such as Iran or North Korea, or individuals, like political leaders or business entities. The goal is to pressure these targets to change their actions without resorting to military intervention, often encouraging diplomatic solutions instead.