US Enacts New Sanctions Against Iran Following Trump’s Diplomatic Efforts

The US Treasury has implemented new sanctions against Iran’s Oil Minister and vessels in response to Trump’s recent letter. These sanctions reflect a continuation of the maximum pressure policy against Iran amid rising tensions following the US’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Ayatollah Khamenei has dismissed US negotiation offers, viewing them as deceptive and unlikely to yield positive results for Iran.

The United States Treasury Department has enacted sanctions targeting Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, alongside several vessels involved in Iranian oil exports. These actions occurred just after a letter from President Donald Trump was delivered to Iran by Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported that these sanctions specifically list Paknejad and three entities linked to the Iranian oil trade in China, along with three shipping vessels as blocked property due to their involvement in oil transactions. The sanctions suggest that Paknejad is responsible for managing the export of significant quantities of Iranian oil.

Included in the designated vessels are the Hong Kong-flagged Peace Hill and its owner Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited, the Iran-flagged Polaris 1, and vessels registered under the Seychelles and Liberia. State Department representative Tammy Bruce indicated that the sanctions reflect President Trump’s ongoing policy of maximum pressure toward Iran.

Previously, Iran has faced extensive sanctions from Western countries in reaction to its nuclear activities. The US administration has intensified these sanctions since January, effectively reinstating a strategy of hybrid warfare against Iran. The recent sanctions followed a letter from Trump that hinted at potential military action if Iran did not cooperate.

In response to these developments, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei referred to Trump’s earlier withdrawal from the nuclear deal as rendering any future diplomatic efforts futile. He characterized Trump’s overtures for negotiation as a strategic deception aimed at shaping a misleading public narrative. Khamenei expressed skepticism about the value of negotiations, referencing the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump effectively dismantled by withdrawing in 2018 and reimposing sanctions.

Khamenei articulated that negotiating under current conditions would not alleviate sanctions, but rather strengthen them, reinforcing Iran’s determination against perceived US duplicity.

In summary, the US has reinstated significant sanctions against Iran, specifically targeting its oil minister and several vessels involved in oil trade. This action follows recent diplomatic interactions, contrasting sharply with Iran’s leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s stance on negotiations, which he considers futile following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. The ongoing situation reflects heightened tensions and underscores the complexities of US-Iran relations in light of past agreements.

Original Source: www.presstv.ir