The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, marking the first such action since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The move is part of his administration’s renewed effort to apply “maximum pressure” on Tehran.
On Thursday, the US Treasury revealed that the latest sanctions focus on Iran’s oil sector. The targeted entities include firms, ships, and individuals linked to companies already under American sanctions. Under former President Joe Biden, similar penalties were regularly imposed to enforce existing restrictions.
In a statement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “The Iranian regime remains focused on leveraging its oil revenues to fund the development of its nuclear program, to produce its deadly ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and to support its regional terrorist proxy groups.” He also added that the United States remains committed to preventing Iran from securing financial resources for these activities.
The Iranian government has consistently dismissed sanctions on its oil industry, calling them an act of “piracy.” Despite Tehran’s objections, the latest measures target individuals and entities across multiple countries, including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
This development follows an executive order signed by Trump earlier in the week, instructing officials to revive his previous pressure campaign against Iran. During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That agreement, negotiated under former President Barack Obama, required Iran to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
Biden attempted to restore the deal through indirect talks with Iran, but those efforts failed. The situation worsened after the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023, which further strained diplomatic relations.
Despite maintaining sanctions on Iran, Biden faced criticism from Republican lawmakers who accused him of not enforcing them strictly enough, especially regarding Iranian oil exports to China.
