In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Thursday concerning the purchase of Iranian oil. Through social media, he declared that any entities continuing to buy Iranian oil or petrochemical products would be subject to U.S. sanctions. Trump emphasized that anyone involved in such transactions would be entirely barred from conducting business with the United States.
The method by which Trump planned to enforce these restrictions remains ambiguous, especially considering the potential imposition of secondary sanctions on countries that procure Iranian oil. This warning could exacerbate existing tensions with China, a primary consumer of Iranian oil, amid heightened economic disputes due to existing U.S. tariffs.
Data from tanker tracking systems and a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicated that China accounted for nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil and condensate exports in 2023. Furthermore, Trump had increased tariffs on Chinese imports by 145% as part of efforts to boost federal revenues and correct trade imbalances.
The President’s announcement followed an announcement by Oman that upcoming nuclear talks with Iran had been postponed. Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister, made this disclosure via social media, citing logistical reasons for the delay and promising to announce new dates once arrangements were agreed upon.
Omani mediation has so far facilitated three rounds of negotiations, but Al-Busaidi did not provide further details on the postponement. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, echoed the reason for the delay, assuring that Iran remains committed to achieving a balanced and just agreement that ensures the peaceful nature of its nuclear program while ending sanctions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has also assumed the role of national security advisor, reiterated the United States’ position. He suggested that Iran could import enriched uranium if it desires nuclear power plants and encouraged Iran to cease enrichment activities.
An unnamed insider familiar with the U.S. stance clarified that America had not confirmed its participation in another round of negotiations in Rome but anticipated continued discussions soon. The Vatican is concurrently preparing for a conclave to select a new pope following the death of Pope Francis.
Previous U.S.-Iran negotiations have occurred in Oman, aiming to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions in return for easing the severe economic penalties the U.S. has imposed on the Iranian regime. These dialogues have been led by Iranian Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.
Trump has persistently suggested that military action is a possibility should diplomatic measures fail to produce an agreement. On the other hand, Iranian representatives have increasingly hinted at considering the development of nuclear capabilities using their enriched uranium reserves unless sanctions are alleviated.
The U.S. threat to disrupt Iran’s oil sector is significant, given the country’s production of approximately 2.9 million barrels of crude oil daily in 2023, as reported by the Energy Information Administration. The 2015 nuclear deal previously imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, but Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the accord has intensified regional hostilities.
Amid these talks, wider Middle Eastern tensions persist, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Concurrently, the U.S. military continues “Operation Rough Rider,” an offensive campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which Iran has long supported. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a cautionary statement to Iran concerning its backing of the Houthis, signaling potential retaliatory measures.
A recent round of rigorous negotiations proceeded amid the chaos of an explosion in an Iranian port, which tragically resulted in at least 70 casualties and over 1,000 injuries. The talks are keenly focused on achieving an accord to limit Iran’s nuclear endeavors while mitigating economic sanctions.