Iran on Wednesday condemned the latest wave of United States sanctions, describing the move as a clear indication of Washington’s ongoing hostility. This reaction follows the US government’s decision to blacklist more than 30 individuals and vessels allegedly linked to Iran’s oil trade.
The sanctions, announced on Monday, targeted key figures including the head of Iran’s national oil company and others accused of facilitating oil sales. This marks the second round of punitive measures in less than a month since US President Donald Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, denounced the sanctions, labeling them as an aggressive attempt to undermine the well-being of the Iranian people. He described the measures as “wrongful, unjustified, and illegitimate,” arguing that they violate the human rights of Iranian citizens.
“The sanctions are a clear sign of the hostility of American policymakers towards the welfare, development, and happiness of the great people of Iran,” Baqaei stated.
The renewed sanctions come despite Trump’s recent calls for dialogue with Iran. Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has expressed his desire for Iran to become “a great and successful country.” However, Iranian officials have rejected any possibility of negotiations under the shadow of economic pressure.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi firmly dismissed the idea of direct talks with Washington on Tehran’s nuclear program, insisting that no discussions would take place under the threat of sanctions.
The latest measures echo Trump’s earlier approach during his first term, which ended in 2021. In 2018, his administration unilaterally withdrew from the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, which had imposed limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The escalating tensions between the two countries raise concerns about further destabilization in the Middle East. While the Biden administration sought to revive the nuclear accord, Trump’s return has signaled a renewed hardline stance, intensifying pressure on Tehran’s economy.
As of now, Iranian leaders remain defiant, vowing to resist external pressure and condemning what they view as a violation of their national sovereignty and human rights.