US sanctions Iran’s oil minister, upping pressure

The US Treasury Department on Thursday issued sanctions against Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, as President Donald Trump seeks to increase pressure on Tehran.

“The Iranian regime continues to use the proceeds from the nation’s vast oil resources to advance its narrow, alarming self-interests at the expense of the Iranian people,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

The sanctions also designate three entities engaged in the Iranian oil trade in China, and names three shipping vessels as blocked property for their use in the transactions.

“These entities provide services to the ghost fleet vessels... enabling Iran’s attempts to disguise its illicit oil trade,” US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

“Today’s action advances President Trump’s policy of maximum pressure on the Iranian regime.”

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has called for a new nuclear deal with Tehran while reinstating his “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions.

The latest sanctions come after the Trump administration sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urging negotiations and warning of possible military action if Tehran refused.