US-Iran nuclear talks: Donald Trump imposes new oil sanctions on Iran, targets illicit oil exports

The United States on Friday imposed new oil sanctions on Iran, soon after crucial talks concluded between the two nations on Iran's nuclear programme in Oman, US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said, adding that President Donald Trump is “committed to driving down the Iranian regime's illicit oil and petrochemical exports under the administration's maximum pressure campaign.”

The sanctions have been aimed at cutting Iran’s oil exports, especially targeting 14 oil vessels and multiple other entities. Pigott said Iran continues to use oil revenues to “fund destabilising activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran.” He also stressed that President Donald Trump has vowed to reduce what he considers as the Iranian regime’s illicit oil and petrochemical exports as part of the administration’s maximum pressure campaign. 

According to the State Department, the transportation of Iranian oil through these 14 vessels allegedly will be severed. Pigot said, “The Department of State is sanctioning 15 entities, two individuals, and 14 shadow fleet vessels connected to the illicit trade in Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. These targets have generated revenue that the regime uses to conduct its malign activities.” 

The statement said, “Instead of investing in the welfare of its own people and crumbling infrastructure, the Iranian regime continues to fund destabilising activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran.” 

“So long as the Iranian regime attempts to evade sanctions and generate oil and petrochemical revenues to fund such oppressive behaviour and support terrorist activities and proxies, the United States will act to hold both the Iranian regime and its partners accountable.” 

These sanctions follow the earlier sanctions imposed in January on Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and several other officials, citing Tehran's violent response to recent anti-government protests.