The U.S. Treasury has enacted sanctions against Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and several vessels involved in oil exports following a letter from President Trump. This reflects the administration’s maximum pressure policy towards Iran amidst rising tensions regarding the nuclear deal.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions targeting Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and specific vessels connected to Iranian crude oil exports. This action occurred shortly after a letter from President Donald Trump was delivered to Iran by Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE President.
On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the sanctions, identifying Paknejad and three entities involved in oil trade in China. Three vessels—namely, the Hong Kong-flagged Peace Hill, the Iran-flagged Polaris 1, and others—were labeled as blocked property due to their involvement in these transactions.
These sanctions are part of President Trump’s strategy of maximum pressure on the Iranian government, as stated by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Such measures were heightened following the new administration’s return to a pressure campaign targeting Iran amid ongoing tensions regarding its nuclear program.
In response to the sanctions, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei remarked that discussions with the U.S. are futile given Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in his first term. Khamenei described the U.S. call for negotiations as a deception aimed at misleading the global public.
He further emphasized the futility of any future agreements with the U.S., noting the past agreement’s collapse when Trump withdrew. Khamenei asserted that negotiations would only intensify the sanctions rather than alleviate them.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015, faces uncertainty after the U.S. pulled out in 2018 and reinstated sanctions against Iran. Khamenei’s remarks highlight the challenges in reviving diplomatic relations under current circumstances.
In conclusion, the U.S.’s recent sanctions against Iran illustrate the administration’s commitment to its maximum pressure campaign in light of ongoing tensions. The response from Iran, particularly from Ayatollah Khamenei, underscores the deep mistrust stemming from past diplomatic efforts and the challenges of future negotiations. The geopolitical landscape remains fraught, particularly following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the continued imposition of sanctions.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
