Donald Trump says he will impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil
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Donald Trump announced secondary sanctions on Iranian oil as Washington intensified the “maximum pressure” campaign against the Islamic Republic and faltered in negotiations on its nuclear program.
The U.S. president said Thursday that anyone who buys Iranian oil or products will be frozen in business with the United States, cracking down on Tehran’s important revenue stream and further squeeze China, its largest importer.
“Now all purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products must stop, now!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social Platform.
“Any country or person that purchases any quantity of oil or petrochemicals from Iran will be subject to secondary sanctions immediately. They will not allow them to conduct business with the United States of America in any way, shape or form.”
Trump has taken a tough stance against Iran, escalating sanctions against its energy sector after announcing the “maximum pressure” strategy “purposes to export Iran's oil to zero” in February.
It is unclear how and when the latest measures will be implemented.
“Until now, our actions have been very clear and consistent: Anyone who attempts to participate in or promote any stage of Iran's oil supply chain, including refineries, buyers, brokers, brokers and shippers, etc. – puts themselves at significant sanctions risks,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance said.
The National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for more detailed information.
Trump's announcement came after the fourth round of negotiations between the United States and Iran in Rome this weekend, which was postponed earlier on Thursday. Oman's Foreign Minister, who served as a mediator, said on X that the delay was “for logistical reasons.”
After the announcement, oil jumped, with international benchmark Brent crude settled 1.8% at $62.13 a barrel. The U.S. marks West Texas Intermediate earnings similarly, priced at $59.24 per barrel.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian top diplomat Abbas Araghchi held three rounds of talks in Muscat and Rome as the Trump administration urged Tehran to agree to a deal to reverse its nuclear progress.
China – the United States is trapped in a fierce trade war – is the country with the most Trump sanctions. Beijing accounts for the vast majority of Iran's crude oil about 1.5 million barrels per day.
“If literally, it means China has to choose between business relations with Iran or the United States,” said Bob McNally, President George W. Bush, now an adviser to the head of the Rapidan Energy Group. “If China chooses to stop importing Iranian oil, Tehran will have difficulty redirecting these barrels to other countries.”
He added: “Unless China violates the United States, Iran will face catastrophic losses in crude oil exports and revenues. This step should soon force diplomacy toward diplomatic agreements or military conflicts.”
Oil prices have dropped sharply this year amid concerns about a global recession caused by Trump's trade war. OPEC+ production is also rising, giving Washington more room for maneuver to sanctions on primitive countries without harming American consumers.
Trump said in March that the U.S. would impose a 25% tariff on all imports purchased from Venezuela, part of a pressure campaign against President Nicholas Maduro’s administration.