Re: Sanctions ARE War
The Japanese claimed the same thing on 07 December 1941.
That did not work out well for the Japanese.
Similar situation to the 1930s, contemporary China and sanctions against Iran. If the economic sanctions justify an Iranian attacks that will send a green light to China wrt tariffs or any other economic limitation nations impose on it. IOW, if you’re hurting economically due to actions or inaction by another nation you have the right to start a war against those nations. Not good.