Trump administration Authorization Almost 20 companies operating in Iran’s illegal international oil trade as president Donald Trump Comment in the Middle East – If a nuclear agreement is reached with the US, it will seduce the Islamic Republic with a “more brighter future.”
Sanctions announced by Ministry of Finance The Foreign Assets Bureau will manage target companies operated in Iran’s oil trade on Tuesday.
Officials said the Iranian government will allocate billions of dollars worth of oil to the military each year, supplementing budget allocations, undertaking the development of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and funding regional terrorist groups.
Treasury officials said Iranian military general staff and its main commercial affiliate, Seper Energy Jahan Nama Perth Company, will continue to establish the previous company, relying on buyers and facilitators to enable licensed oil trade.
On November 5th, 2019, a centrifuge was carried out at the Natanturan enrichment facility in central Iran. (Iranian atomic energy organization, file via AP)
Sepehr Energy frequently carries out oil shipments through a series of “trading” between multiple front companies owned or controlled, according to the Treasury Department, creating “an illusion of unauthorized trade between separate entities.”
“Many entities involved in Sepehr Energy’s oil shipping are part of an elaborate system of oil smuggling and money laundering to directly control or act on behalf of Sepehr Energy,” the ministry said, and also control and use front companies based in Hong Kong. “Shipping with Iranian oil brokers delivered to China’s independent so-called teapot refineries.”
The sanctions came shortly after Trump gave a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, urging Iran to take a “new and better path.” The Trump administration is in talks with Iran for a new nuclear deal.
On May 12, 2025, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer left and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after a two-day closure door discussion on US-China trade in Geneva.
However, during his speech, the president warned of “large maximum pressure” if Iran had not reached an agreement.
“As I have repeatedly shown, I am willing to end past conflicts and build new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences are profound,” Trump said. “If Iranian leadership rejects this olive branch… we have no choice but to put a massive maximum pressure on us and drive Iran’s oil exports to zero.”
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“Iran can have a much brighter future, but we will never allow them to threaten America and our allies with terrorism and nuclear attacks,” Trump said.
Trump had announced a 60-day time frame to reach an agreement with Iran about an illegal atomic weapons program. The first negotiation session with Iran began on April 12th.
President Donald Trump warned of “large maximum pressure” if Iran fails to reach an agreement. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump’s special envoy group Steve Witkov met with Iranian officials over the weekend for the fourth round of nuclear talks.
Nuclear talks were “difficult but useful,” said Esmail Baghhai, a spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss closing door negotiations, offering more and describing the speech as indirect and direct, The Associated Press reported.
“We have reached a contract to proceed with consultations in order to continue work through technical elements.” US officials said. “We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to the next meeting that will take place in the near future.”
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The Trump administration said the 2015 Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA), also known as the Iranian nuclear deal, did not prevent Iran from building an atomic bomb.
President Donald J. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will meet in Riyadh on May 13, 2025 at the Royal Saudi Court. (Get McNamee/Getty Images)
Before departing for a trip to the Middle East, Trump repeated his stance on Iran’s nuclear goals.
“You can’t have nuclear weapons, but I think they’re talking smart,” Trump said. “We’re in the midst of talking to them and they’re acting very smart right now. I want to be wealthy, wonderful, happy and wonderful in Iran, but they… can’t have nuclear weapons. It’s very easy.
A day before talks began, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei welcomed the chant “Death to America” ​​in Tehran, the capital of Iran.
“You’re right,” Khamenei told a crowd of supporters who sought the destruction of the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
