Using the fuzzy logic approach to extract the index of economic sanctions in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Fuzzy logic is one of the most widely used methods for quantifying qualitative studies. Because based on the fuzzy logic method, a wide range of verbal interfaces can be presented quantitatively. Fuzzy logic is a form of multi-valued logic. Quantitative indicators for qualitative events can be defined with its help. Iran has faced the phenomenon of economic sanctions since 1979 and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. These sanctions have had different types and have affected different sectors of the Iranian economy. However, in most cases, studies on these sanctions have been limited and inefficient. In this study, based on the fuzzy method, an attempt has been made to define a quantitative index for economic sanctions during the years 1979–2019, using the opinions of economics experts on sanctions. This quantitative index can be utilized as a useful time series. Researchers in the field of Iranian economics and the economics of sanctions can help to study the impact of this economic phenomenon on different sectors of the Iranian economy. The results of this study showed the index of sanctions during 2011 and 2012, in which the most sanctions were imposed against Iran. The index was extracted and it was shown that it had the highest value. • In qualitative studies, to quantify the studied trends, the method of fuzzy logic and conversion of verbal propositions into numbers and figures can be used. • The index of economic sanctions is a useful time series for researchers in the field of sanction economics and the Iranian economy. • The index of economic sanctions can determine how each of the economic sanctions against Iran will work.