For the First Time, President Donald Trump's Administration Imposes Sanctions Against Iran

For the First Time, President Donald Trump's Administration Imposes Sanctions Against Iran

Washington D.C.: After Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the United States has imposed its first sanctions against Iran, as Trump has announced the restoration of "maximum pressure" on Tehran.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Thursday that these sanctions target Iran's "oil network." The measures have targeted certain companies, ships, and individuals who are already under U.S. sanctions. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. would typically issue such sanctions that were already imposed.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, "The Iranian regime continues to use its oil revenues to fund its nuclear program, develop deadly ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and support its regional terrorist proxy groups. The United States is committed to aggressively blocking any attempt by Iran to secure funding for these malign activities."

Iran has long described sanctions on its oil sector and attempts to block its oil exports as "piracy." The Treasury said the sanctions target "entities and individuals in multiple regions," including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates. Thursday's action comes two days after Trump signed an executive order to continue his pressure campaign against Iran, which began during his first term after abandoning the nuclear deal in 2018.

The 2015 multilateral agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), gave Tehran the opportunity to scale back its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Biden had tried to restore the deal, but multiple rounds of indirect talks failed to achieve this goal. This diplomatic effort was derailed after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Trump’s executive order directs U.S. officials to review and tighten sanctions to "drive Iran’s oil exports to zero." However, Trump has kept the door open for diplomacy with Tehran, stating, "I want Iran to be a great and successful country, but one that cannot have a nuclear weapon."

While Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, it has been enriching uranium – the key material needed to make a bomb – at an increasing rate in response to U.S. sanctions. Israel, a major U.S. ally in the Middle East, is widely believed to have an undeclared nuclear arsenal.

The U.S. State Department welcomed the sanctions, stating that they would not tolerate "destructive and destabilizing behavior." In a statement, it described Tehran’s oil exports as "illicit," but Iran, as a sovereign nation, is selling its own oil.

"The proceeds of these sales support terrorist and proxy groups," the State Department said.