Washington: The United States announced a fresh round of sanctions on Friday aimed at curbing Iran’s oil exports targeting 14 vessels and multiple entities shortly after Washington and Tehran concluded a day of indirect talks in Oman.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Iran continues to use oil revenues to fund destabilising activities abroad and intensify domestic repression. He said President Donald Trump remains committed to reducing Iran’s oil and petrochemical exports under the administration’s maximum pressure campaign.
According to the State Department the sanctions include blocking transactions involving 14 vessels accused of transporting Iranian oil including ships flagged to Turkey India and the United Arab Emirates. In addition15 entities and two individuals were sanctioned.
The move came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met indirectly with senior US envoys in Oman to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme. Iranian officials described the talks as taking place in a positive atmosphere, though major differences remain.
Tensions between the two countries continue to run high, with the US increasing its military presence near Iran. Trump has warned of potential military action if diplomacy fails while Iran has pledged a strong response to any attack.
Global and regional powers have expressed concern that a collapse in talks could trigger a wider conflict, urging restraint and continued diplomacy.
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