“We will continue to increase pressure on Tehran,” Mr. Trump said before signing an executive order imposing new penalties. “Never can Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

This round of sanctions is largely symbolic, indicating that the Trump administration is running low on arrows in its economic quiver. Now it finds itself in a waiting game.

Details: While previous sanctions cut off revenue from oil exports, these will bar top Iranian leaders from access to financial instruments.

Analysis: The goal is to force political change and compel Iran’s leaders to reopen negotiations on its nuclear program.

But some analysts said the broader economic penalties had strengthened local support for hard-line officials in Tehran.