The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and several vessels involved in oil exports, following a letter from President Trump to Iran. State Department officials affirmed that the sanctions further implement the maximum pressure strategy. Iranian leaders, particularly Ayatollah Khamenei, dismissed U.S. claims of openness to negotiations, expressing skepticism over future diplomatic efforts given previous actions by the U.S.
The United States Treasury Department has announced new sanctions targeting Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and several vessels linked to Iranian crude oil exports. These measures followed the delivery of a letter from President Donald Trump to Iran, administered by Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the sanctions include Paknejad, who is responsible for overseeing the export of significant quantities of Iranian oil, as well as three entities involved in oil transactions with China. The sanctions specifically identify vessels such as the Hong Kong-flagged Peace Hill and Iran-flagged Polaris 1 as blocked assets due to their role in such transactions.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce noted that these actions represent an escalation of President Trump’s maximum pressure strategy against Iran. The sanctions reflect a continuation of the stringent measures enforced by the new administration since January, targeting the Islamic Republic over its nuclear activities.
In response to the sanctions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed skepticism towards U.S. overtures for negotiation, deeming them deceptive. He criticized Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, arguing that it undermines any future diplomatic efforts, suggesting that negotiations would only tighten existing sanctions rather than alleviate them.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks highlight Iran’s disillusionment with past negotiations and the likelihood that the current administration’s policies will not yield favorable results. He underscored that the U.S. aims to navigate public perception by positioning itself as willing to engage in diplomacy while portraying Iran as resistant to peace initiatives.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by Iran and six major world powers, has been in jeopardy since the U.S. exited the agreement in 2018, further complicating diplomatic relations. The uncertainty surrounding the deal continues as Iran’s leaders remain skeptical of U.S. intentions while sanctions persist.
The recent sanctions imposed by the United States mark a continuation of the maximum pressure strategy against Iran, following a letter from President Trump. Iranian leadership, particularly Ayatollah Khamenei, remains skeptical of U.S. intentions for negotiations, asserting that meaningful dialogue would only entrench existing sanctions. The 2015 nuclear deal remains precarious after the U.S. withdrawal, and diplomatic relations appear increasingly strained with the continued imposition of sanctions.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
