U.S hits Iran with new sanctions before talks

DDM News

The United States has imposed new sanctions targeting several entities allegedly involved in Iran’s illicit petroleum and petrochemical trade.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports, the sanctions come just days before the U.S. and Iran are expected to resume negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

According to the U.S. State Department, seven companies based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey have been sanctioned.

These companies are accused of facilitating the trade and transport of Iranian oil and petrochemical products despite existing sanctions.

Two vessels involved in these trades were also blacklisted as part of the fresh punitive measures.

In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the action targets four sellers and one buyer.

Rubio claimed the deals were worth hundreds of millions of dollars and violated international sanctions.

He emphasized that the United States remains committed to dismantling networks that help Iran profit from restricted energy exports.

The latest measures fall under the broader “maximum pressure” campaign revived during the Trump administration.

That strategy aims to cripple Iran’s economy, particularly its oil exports, which serve as a major source of revenue.

The Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, citing Iran’s failure to uphold certain commitments.

This deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had initially eased sanctions in exchange for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Under the agreement, Iran was required to reduce uranium enrichment levels and allow international inspections.

However, after the U.S. withdrawal, the deal collapsed, and Iran began exceeding the enrichment limits.

The enrichment of uranium at higher purity levels has raised concerns among Western powers about Iran’s true nuclear intentions.

Uranium enriched above 90% can be used to build nuclear weapons, though Iran has not reached that threshold.

The United States and its allies argue that Iran’s current enrichment levels go far beyond the needs of a civilian energy program.

Tehran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes, including electricity generation and medical research.

The imposition of fresh sanctions just before renewed talks could be seen as a tactic to strengthen the U.S. negotiating position.

Washington hopes the pressure will force Iran to return to the negotiating table in good faith and make meaningful concessions.

The upcoming talks, scheduled for Saturday in Rome, mark the latest attempt to revive stalled diplomacy.

Iran has not yet issued a formal response to the new sanctions.

Its representatives at the United Nations in New York have remained silent at the time of this report.

The tension between the two countries reflects broader instability in U.S.-Iran relations since 2018.

Since the collapse of the nuclear deal, the region has seen increased military confrontations and diplomatic hostilities.

Iran has also expanded its influence across the Middle East, often in opposition to U.S. interests.

Washington accuses Tehran of backing militant groups and destabilizing neighboring countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

Iran, in turn, accuses the United States of hypocrisy and of applying double standards to nuclear policy.

It frequently criticizes the U.S. support for Israel, a country widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but not subject to international inspections.

Despite years of tensions, both sides have occasionally shown interest in returning to dialogue.

Earlier attempts at talks have often faltered due to disagreements over the lifting of sanctions and nuclear compliance.

As the Rome meeting approaches, observers are watching closely to see if progress can finally be made.

Experts warn that without a new agreement, Iran may continue enriching uranium at dangerous levels.

Such developments would increase the risk of a broader conflict in the region and draw in other global powers.

The Biden administration, like its predecessor, has faced political pressure at home over how to handle Iran.

Some U.S. lawmakers favor a tough stance, while others support re engaging diplomatically to prevent escalation.

It remains to be seen whether the latest sanctions will push Iran toward compromise or harden its resistance.

Either way, the outcome of Saturday’s talks in Rome could have far-reaching consequences for global security.

The stakes are high, and the world is watching.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook