US Threatens Sanctions on Iranian Oil Buyers

President Donald Trump warned on Thursday, May 1, 2025, that anyone buying Iranian oil or petrochemical products would face severe consequences.

The consequences include being barred from doing business with the United States.

This threat comes after planned talks between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program were postponed due to “logistical reasons.”

*Background on Talks*

The talks, which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions, were supposed to take place on May 3 but have been rescheduled.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that despite the postponement, Iran remains committed to finding a negotiated solution.

*US Stance*

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Iran could import enriched uranium for nuclear power plants if it agrees to stop enriching uranium itself.

Rubio also stated that this is the best opportunity for Iran to negotiate a deal.

*Tensions and Sanctions*

Trump’s threat risks escalating tensions with China, Iran’s leading oil customer, which took nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports in 2023.

The US president has imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and is considering secondary sanctions on nations that import Iranian oil.

*Regional Tensions*

The wider Middle East remains volatile, with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and US airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran about its support for the Houthis, stating that the US will take action at a time and place of its choosing.

*Iran’s Nuclear Program*

Iran’s nuclear program has been a point of contention, with the US withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.

Iranian officials have warned that they could pursue a nuclear weapon if a deal isn’t reached, while the US continues to push for limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Recall that Diaspora Digital Media reported on April 30, 2025, that new sanctions targeting several entities supposedly involved in Iran’s illicit petroleum and petrochemical trade had been imposed by Trump on Iran.

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

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