'Unjust', 'incompatible': Iran on US sanctions amid 'useful' talks
3 Min Read
Iran sees that the US behavior undermines trust and casts doubt and suspicion on Washington's position.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is welcomed by an Omani official upon his arrival at Muscat, Oman, with Iranian Ambassador to Oman Mousa Farhang standing to the right, on May 11, 2025 (AP)
Iran said on Tuesday that a recent round of talks with the US had been successful, but Washington's implementation of further sanctions was incompatible with the negotiations.
The United States slapped sanctions on a shipping network on Tuesday, accusing it of transporting millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China, the State Department said, two days after Washington and Tehran conducted their fourth round of indirect nuclear talks in Oman.
"The talks were useful," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told local media, while slamming the sanctions as "incompatible with the process of negotiations."
"This will definitely affect our positions," he continued.
On his part, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi condemned the US decision, calling it inconsistent with the spirit of ongoing negotiations and warning that such behavior undermines trust and jeopardizes diplomatic progress.
“American officials' threatening and non-threatening statements fail to build confidence and instead cast doubts and suspicions on Washington's position,” Ravanchi emphasized, highlighting that sanctions affect Iran's population.
Iran remains committed to ongoing negotiations but acknowledges significant challenges ahead, with no clear timeline for resolution, Ravanchi noted, citing that although it is not an easy task, "we are doing our best."
Read more: Poll: Americans overwhelmingly prefer diplomacy with Iran
Trump says Iran 'most destructive force'
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the remarks as President Donald Trump began a four-day Middle East tour.
Speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump took a swing at Iran, accusing the Islamic Republic of being the "most destructive force" in the Middle East and putting the blame on the country for the instability across the region.
Presenting what he framed as both a last caution and an opportunity for dialogue, Trump stated that Iran faces a decision between persisting with what he called "chaos and terror" or pursuing a peaceful path forward.
However, the US president seems to have forgotten or simply just ignored facts highlighted by many observers and analysts who point to "Israel’s" decades-long military occupation, repeated assaults on Gaza, and destabilizing actions in neighboring countries, such as Lebanon and Syria, as enduring and visible sources of violence and unrest in the region.
Deal 'wont last forever,' Trump says
During his speech at the investment forum in Riyadh, Trump cautioned that "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon," adding that his offer for a deal won't last forever.
Additionally, the US president threatened Iran with major repercussions should the ongoing nuclear talks between the two countries falter, while claiming he is willing to strike a deal.
"I want to make a deal with Iran," Trump stated, "If Iran's leadership rejects this olive branch and continues to attack their neighbours, then we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero like I did before," invoking his 2018 sanction campaign on Tehran.
