The Iranian government expresses skepticism regarding U.S. motives following the reinstatement of sanctions by President Trump, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly questioned the sincerity of the United States in pursuing negotiations with Tehran amidst the imposition of new sanctions.
His comments follow a series of actions by President
Donald Trump, who on February 4, 2025, signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) reinstating a policy of 'maximum pressure' on Iran.
Pezeshkian highlighted the contradiction in U.S. actions: 'If the U.S. were sincere about negotiations, why did they sanction us?' This statement was made during a commemorative event marking the 46th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
On the same day, President Trump emphasized that the sanctions were designed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to counter its conventional military build-up.
Trump's administration aims to systematically dismantle Iran's regional influence and economic stability through tightened sanctions.
As part of the renewed pressure campaign, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on February 6-8, 2025, sanctions against an international network involved in transporting Iranian crude oil, impacting entities in China, India, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as several maritime vessels.
Estimates suggest that this network facilitates shipments worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually to China.
President Trump has maintained a dual approach, stating he is open to negotiations with Iran while simultaneously seeking to enforce measures that he believes will prevent Iran from achieving nuclear capabilities.
He reiterated his position that he aims to ensure a prosperous future for Iran, contingent upon the absence of nuclear weapons.
The latest sanctions come as U.S.-Iran relations remain tense, with the Iranian leadership accusing Israel of being a significant factor in regional instability.
The U.S. government, through its sanctions and diplomatic positioning, continues to exert pressure on Iran in a broader context of ongoing international concerns over nuclear proliferation and regional security.