Iran Slams New U.S. Sanctions as ‘Clear Hostility’ Amid Ongoing Nuclear Talks
Iran has strongly condemned the latest round of US sanctions, calling them a “clear sign of hostility” after Washington blacklisted over 30 individuals and vessels allegedly linked to Tehran’s oil trade.
The sanctions, announced on Monday, target key figures including the head of Iran’s national oil company and others accused of facilitating oil sales.
This marks the second wave of sanctions in less than a month, following the reinstatement of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy on Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei slammed the measures as a “wrongful, unjustified, and illegitimate act” that infringes on the human rights of the Iranian people.
He further accused Washington of undermining the welfare and development of Iran’s citizens. “This is a clear demonstration of the American policymakers’ hostility towards the Iranian people,” Baqaei said.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has expressed an interest in opening a dialogue with Iran, promising to help the country become “great and successful.” However, Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, rejected the notion of direct talks under “pressure, threat, or sanctions.”
This latest development is part of the ongoing fallout from the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, which placed curbs on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Since the reimposition of sanctions in 2018, Tehran has gradually scaled back its commitments under the agreement.
Despite the tensions, Iran resumed nuclear talks on Monday with Britain, France, and Germany. The discussions follow a new round of engagement in November, with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirming that more talks with European counterparts are expected within the next three weeks.
As the diplomatic efforts continue, the US sanctions cast a long shadow, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
