Economic sanctions are tools used to influence the behavior of countries by restricting trade and financial transactions. The effectiveness of these sanctions varies depending on factors like international support and the target country's resilience. The Iranian Hostage Crisis in the late 1970s saw the United States impose economic sanctions on Iran, which had mixed results. While the sanctions did not fully resolve the crisis, they did contribute to a solution. This historical experience highlights the complexities and limitations of using economic sanctions as a diplomatic tool.