Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Iran on Wednesday, February 26, condemned the latest round of U.S. sanctions as a “clear sign of hostility” after Washington blacklisted more than 30 individuals and vessels linked to its oil trade.
The sanctions, announced on Monday, February 24, targeted the head of
Iran’s national oil company and others accused of brokering oil sales. This
marks the second wave of sanctions in less than a month since U.S. President
Donald Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denounced the measures as an
act of aggression, stating they reflect the hostility of American policymakers
toward the “welfare, development, and happiness” of the Iranian people. In a
statement, he described the sanctions as a “wrongful, unjustified, illegitimate
act” that violates human rights and held Washington responsible for their
impact.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has called for
dialogue with Iran, insisting he wants the country to be “great and
successful.” However, on Monday, February 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araghchi ruled out direct negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program under
“pressure, threat, or sanctions.”
During Trump’s first term, which ended in 2021, the U.S. withdrew from
the 2015 nuclear deal, which had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear
activities in exchange for sanctions relief. After Washington reimposed
sanctions in 2018, Tehran gradually rolled back its nuclear commitments.
Iran resumed nuclear discussions on Monday, February 24, with Britain,
France, and Germany following renewed engagement in November. Iranian Deputy
Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday, February 26, that another
round of talks with European representatives is expected within three weeks.
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