Why it matters:
The Trump administration imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade on Thursday as part of its maximum pressure campaign, the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced.
"Treasury will continue to target Tehran’s revenue sources and intensify economic pressure to disrupt Iran’s access to the financial resources Scott Bessent said.
The sanctions came in the wake of a 12-day Israeli-U.S. aggressions against Iran on June 13.
Seven officials and one entity were targeted by the U.S.'s new sanctions.
The big picture:
The latest sanctions expose the enduring contradiction in Trump’s policy toward Iran. Among publicly suggesting openness to talks, Washington continues its maximum pressure tactics through economic warfare and coordinated military attacks.
This eighth round of oil-related sanctions, issued alongside U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, raises doubts over the sincerity of the U.S. diplomatic overture and pushes further of conflict in the region further away from the negotiating table.
What they're saying:
Experts highlight the contradiction between Trump’s professed openness to talks and simultaneous military and economic escalations. Despite Trump’s recent claim on Truth Social that “China can now continue buying oil from Iran” and that this was “a great honor,” the latest Treasury sanctions reveal an ongoing dual standard policy that undermines diplomatic efforts.
Key points:
- It is the eighth round of oil-related sanctions on Iran.
- These sanctions follow joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and heightened regional conflict.
Go deeper:
The sanctions came in the wake of a 12-day Israeli aggression against Iran, which erupted on June 13 when Israel launched air strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
Tehran responded in a self-defense proportionate operation codenamed "True Promise III" with barrages of missiles and drone strikes, hitting hard Israeli military, economic, and intelligence sites.
U.S. to stop more destruction in the occupied territories by Iranian missile attacks, conducted an attack on three Iranian nuclear sites safeguarded by IAEA inspections, and offered a ceasefire.
Iran responded U.S. attack by targeting Al-Udeied Air Base, the biggest U.S. military base in West Asia.
Iran Officially Announces Suspension of Cooperation With IAEA
ahmad shirzadian
