How Iran could counter U.S. sanctions

[Balance of Power]( From [Bloomberg Politics]( [FOLLOW US [Facebook Share]]( [Twitter Share]( [SUBSCRIBE [Subscribe]](  Donald Trump is targeting Iran’s oil, but U.S. sanctions alone might not be enough to shut down the Islamic Republic’s economic lifeline. Discounts, bartering and smuggling — even disabling the tracking systems on its fleet of tankers — are among the [tactics]( Iran may lean on to keep almost 800,000 barrels a day of its exports flowing after U.S. restrictions resume in November, [Ellen Milligan]( writes. The sanctions will still hit hard, but sales abroad at those levels would cushion [the impact]( for a ruling establishment rocked by a sharp depreciation in its currency and bubbling discontent over rising prices. China, Turkey and India will likely continue to buy Iran’s oil, while other major purchasers including Japan, South Korea and European nations are already shunning its crude. Trump, meanwhile, is looking to inflict [maximum pain]( on Tehran after pulling the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May. The president wants a total oil-export shutdown to force its leaders back to the negotiating table as he pursues a new accord that rolls back Iranian influence in the Middle East. That’s a cherished goal of America’s two biggest regional allies — Israel and Saudi Arabia. - [Mark Williams]( An oil tanker off the port of Bandar Abbas, southern Iran. Global Headlines [Tough questions]( | Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election will hang over this week’s Senate hearing for Brett Kavanaugh, who may help decide the probe’s fate if he’s confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Democrats, making a long-shot bid [to derail]( Trump’s second nominee to the high court, say they will press Kavanaugh on how he might rule on issues affecting Mueller’s inquiry. [Asia snub]( | Trump’s decision to skip two major Asian summits in November is stoking concerns about American reliability as a counterweight to China. While the U.S. midterm elections provide the president strong incentive to stay close to home, Trump’s absence will make it harder to advance the administration’s “Indo-Pacific” strategy and leave more space for China’s Xi Jinping to promote his vast trade and development initiatives [Politics returns]( | British politicians return to work tomorrow ready for battle over Brexit. Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to keep the U.K. close to the European Union is drawing fire from all sides — including Brussels — while opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn is also struggling to keep his Labour Party together over accusations of antisemitism. And to think there are only seven months left until Britain leaves the bloc. Buckle up. 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Adler, Reuters’ editor-in-chief, called it “a sad day for Myanmar, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and the press everywhere.” What to Watch - Libya’s United Nations-backed presidency council has declared a state of emergency in Tripoli after days of clashes between rival militias damaged oil facilities and forced the airport to close, Libya TV reports. [And finally]( ... Russian state television broadcast a new weekly prime-time show devoted to Vladimir Putin yesterday that lauded his leadership qualities and physical vigor as it reviewed the past week’s presidential visits and meetings. With daily news shows already a catalog of his activities, the program has appeared as Putin’s popularity has slumped over a plan to hike the pension age. Putin’s “a very human person,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the host at one point. Putin during a short vacation last month in Siberia’s Tuva region. Photographer: ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/AFP   Following the worst recession on record and a massive corruption scandal, Brazilians will hold general elections, including for the presidency, in October. Here’s a [one-stop shop]( for everything on the election: polls, issues, financial indicators and major news.   You received this message because you are subscribed to the Bloomberg Politics newsletter Balance of Power. You can tell your friends to [sign up here](.  [Unsubscribe]( | [Bloomberg.com]( | [Contact Us]( Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022