The United States announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports on Friday, mere moments after concluding a day of indirect nuclear talks with Tehran in Oman.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that Iran uses oil revenue to fund "destabilizing activities around the world" and intensify domestic repression. He affirmed President Donald Trump's commitment to driving down "Iran’s illicit oil and petrochemical exports" under the administration's maximum pressure campaign.
The new measures block transactions involving 14 vessels accused of transporting Iranian oil, including ships flagged in Turkey, India, and the United Arab Emirates. Sanctions were also imposed on 15 entities and two individuals.
This latest enforcement continues the strategy from Trump's first administration, which has long used sanctions to compel other countries to halt purchases of Iranian oil.
The sanctions announcement came on the heels of indirect talks in Oman between Iran's foreign minister and senior U.S. envoys regarding Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian officials described the discussions as taking place in a "positive atmosphere."
The timing underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of U.S.-Iran relations, which have been marked by heightened tensions. The Trump administration has previously threatened military action and increased U.S. naval presence near Iranian waters, especially following Iran's violent suppression of major protests.
The simultaneous occurrence of diplomacy and punitive economic measures highlights the ongoing "maximum pressure" approach, aiming to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence while maintaining a channel for negotiation.
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