Shortly after the enemies concluded a day of indirect negotiations in Oman, the United States on Friday announced fresh restrictions to control Iran’s oil shipments, including targeting 14 vessels.
Iran uses oil income to “fund destabilizing activities around the world and step up its repression inside Iran,” according to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
During the administration’s maximum pressure campaign, President Donald Trump is “committed to driving down the Iranian regime’s illicit oil and petrochemical exports,” Pigott said in a statement.
The State Department announced that it would impose a ban on any dealings with 14 vessels, including those flying the flags of Turkey, India, and the United Arab Emirates, that are allegedly involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
Sanctions against two individuals and fifteen businesses were also announced.
The United States has enforced sanctions to compel all other nations to cease purchasing Iranian oil during Trump’s first presidency.
During an informal meeting with senior Trump envoys in Oman on Friday, Iran’s foreign minister discussed his nation’s nuclear program and reported a “positive atmosphere.”
The negotiations follow the brutal suppression of some of the biggest demonstrations since the Islamic revolution of 1979 by Iran’s clerical government.
Trump had increased the US military presence close to Iran’s borders and threatened to use force against the country.
