WASHINGTON — Days before critical nuclear negotiations are set to begin, the United States has levied fresh sanctions against Iran, targeting 30 individuals, businesses and vessels allegedly connected to the country’s weapons programs and illegal oil trade.
The penalties were announced Wednesday as President Donald Trump has deployed what officials describe as the most significant concentration of American naval and air power in the Middle East in recent decades, while maintaining the threat of military intervention to force Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Diplomatic talks involving U.S. representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian officials are planned for Thursday in Geneva, with Oman serving as an intermediary.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control rolled out restrictions against vessels it claims are part of Iran’s “shadow fleet” — aging tankers used to secretly transport oil for nations under heavy international sanctions.
The sanctions also strike at drone production facilities, notably Qods Aviation Industries, which according to Treasury officials has provided unmanned aircraft “to all branches of the Iranian military and buyers in Africa and Latin America.”
These financial restrictions block access to any American-held assets and prohibit U.S. businesses and individuals from conducting transactions with the sanctioned entities. However, their practical impact may be limited since many targets likely have minimal ties to American financial institutions.
“Treasury will continue to put maximum pressure on Iran to target the regime’s weapons capabilities and support for terrorism, which it has prioritized over the lives of the Iranian people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
The Trump administration maintains that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons capability, escalating pressure following American military strikes in June against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian officials have consistently stated their nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. Prior to the June attacks, the nation had been processing uranium to 60% purity — just a technical step away from the 90% enrichment level needed for weapons.
“We wiped it out and they want to start all over again. And they’re at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions,” Trump said during his State of the Union speech Tuesday night. “We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words: We will never have a nuclear weapon.”
