The U.S. has sanctioned Iranian oil minister Mohsen Paknejad and shadow fleet vessels, targeting oil exports disguised for military use. As Iran grapples with economic sanctions, it considers talks with the U.S. but remains firm against major concessions. The U.S. aims for a new deal while Khamenei perceives negotiations as a means of U.S. domination.
On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions targeting Iran’s oil minister, Mohsen Paknejad, and several Hong Kong-flagged vessels connected to a shadow fleet facilitating Iranian oil exports. The U.S. Treasury stated that Paknejad manages the export of significant quantities of oil, with substantial portions allocated for military use. Alongside him, entities responsible for facilitating oil deliveries to China and storage operations in various regions were also designated for sanctions.
The Treasury identified specific vessels, which include the Hong Kong-flagged “Peace Hill,” its operators Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited, the Iranian ship “Polaris 1,” and two other vessels registered in Seychelles and Liberia. Additionally, the U.S. State Department blocked three entities and vessels associated with these operations.
As the Iranian economy faces pressures from sanctions, Iran is contemplating potential negotiations with the U.S. but remains resistant to major concessions. President Trump, since taking office in January, has advocated for a new nuclear deal and reinstated a policy of maximizing sanctions against Iran.
Iran’s leadership has publicly dismissed direct discussions while sanctions persist, with President Masoud Pezeshkian asserting that Iran will not yield to pressure. Recently, Trump sent a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggesting negotiations, along with warnings of possible military action should Iran not comply.
In response, Khamenei criticized U.S. threats as “unwise,” stating that negotiations would not alleviate sanctions but could tighten them further. He emphasized that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and perceives U.S. overtures as attempts to mislead international opinion. Iran has expressed a willingness to discuss “militarisation” aspects of its nuclear program, while firmly rejecting any negotiations that undermine its peaceful nuclear activities.
Following Trump’s letter disclosure, Khamenei labeled the U.S. negotiations as attempts to impose dominance and set unrealistic expectations. He claimed that the U.S. seeks to negotiate not just on nuclear matters but also on broader geopolitical issues, which Iran would not accept. Detrimental past experiences with U.S. agreements led Khamenei to assert that these negotiations could not resolve Iran’s challenges.
Since the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran has gradually reduced its commitments under the deal. In recent years, the severe sanctions have led to soaring inflation and a staggering depreciation of the Iranian rial. Amidst these challenges, Iranian diplomats have continued discussions on nuclear issues with Britain, France, Germany, and have recently engaged Russia, with China set to host trilateral talks soon.
In summary, the U.S. has intensified its sanctions against Iran, particularly focusing on its oil sector and specific individuals linked to oil exports. While Iran faces economic hardship, it remains resistant to concessions amid ongoing discussions around potential negotiations. The situation reflects the complexities of international diplomacy, particularly concerning nuclear agreements and regional security issues involving Iran, the U.S., and their allies.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
