US Announces New Iran Oil Sanctions Shortly After Indirect Talks in Oman
The United States on Friday, February 6, announced a fresh wave of sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports, moments after Washington and Tehran concluded a day of indirect talks in Oman. This move underscores the ongoing tensions between the two nations despite diplomatic engagements.
State Department Justifies Sanctions
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that Iran utilizes its oil revenue to fund what he described as destabilizing activities around the world and to intensify repression within the country. Pigott emphasized that US President Donald Trump remains committed to driving down what the administration labels as Iran's illicit oil and petrochemical exports under its maximum pressure campaign.
Details of the New Measures
According to the State Department, the new sanctions include:
- Blocking transactions involving 14 vessels accused of transporting Iranian oil, with ships flagged in Turkey, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Imposing sanctions on 15 entities and two individuals linked to Iran's oil trade.
These measures are part of a broader strategy that has been in place since Trump's first administration, aimed at compelling other countries to halt the purchase of Iranian oil.
Context of the Oman Talks
The latest sanctions come as Iran's foreign minister met indirectly with senior US envoys in Oman on Friday to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme. Iranian officials described the talks as taking place in a positive atmosphere, highlighting a contrast with the punitive actions announced by the US.
The discussions followed a period of heightened tensions, during which Iran's clerical leadership violently suppressed some of the largest protests since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Trump has previously threatened the use of force against Iran and increased US military presence near the country's shores, adding to the geopolitical strain.
This development reflects the complex interplay between diplomacy and economic pressure in US-Iran relations, with sanctions serving as a key tool in Washington's foreign policy arsenal.
