Trump's first Iran sanctions target 3 ships in crude trade with China
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Trump has called for renewed negotiations on a "verified nuclear peace agreement" with Iran, urging immediate talks while reinstating his "maximum pressure" policy.
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US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House, on August 19, 2020, in Washington. (AP)
Shippers and experts say President Donald Trump's first sanctions package, which targeted a handful of vessels transporting Iranian oil, fell short of the administration's promised "maximum pressure" campaign, Bloomberg reported.
The measure, announced Thursday, affected one very large crude carrier and two Aframaxes which, as claimed by the Treasury Department, assisted in the transportation of Iranian crude to China.
It also targeted multiple businesses and persons from other countries involved in the transaction, acting on behalf of Tehran's Armed Forces General Staff and its sanctioned front firm, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars.
Before Trump's inauguration on January 20, shipping executives and oil merchants were worried about potential large sanctions targeting Tehran due to his strong opposition to the country. They feared these actions could further disrupt supply chains, which were already impacted by the Biden administration's measures against Russia in early January.
Biden had imposed three rounds of sanctions on the Iran-China oil trade late in the previous year.
Meanwhile, Trump has called for renewed negotiations on a "verified nuclear peace agreement" with Iran, urging immediate talks while reinstating his "maximum pressure" policy. Tehran, however, responded cautiously, stating that its diplomatic approach remains rooted in dignity, wisdom, and expediency.
On Tuesday, Trump signed an order reinstating the "maximum pressure" strategy against Iran, a policy first introduced during his first term after he withdrew the US from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement. The move coincided with his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where both leaders reiterated that Iran must never develop nuclear weapons.
Speaking on his Truth Social platform early Wednesday, Trump reaffirmed his stance:
"I want Iran to be a great and successful Country, but one that cannot have a Nuclear Weapon. I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper."
The US president also dismissed speculation of a US-"Israel" military operation against Iran, calling such reports "greatly exaggerated." Instead, he advocated for immediate diplomatic efforts to secure a new agreement, envisioning a "big Middle East celebration" once a deal is finalized.
