Iran’s foreign ministry has issued a strong condemnation of the latest sanctions imposed by the United States on its oil network, characterizing the action as indicative of Washington’s “hostile approach” in advance of a crucial third round of nuclear negotiations. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei expressed that the U.S. strategy of sanctioning the Iranian populace directly contradicts America’s stated desire for dialogue and negotiation, highlighting a perceived lack of goodwill and seriousness from the U.S. government.
The sanctions were announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Treasury, specifically targeting Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh, a prominent figure in Iran’s liquefied petroleum gas sector, along with his corporate network. According to the Treasury’s statement, this network is “collectively responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that Emamjomeh and his associates were actively working to evade U.S. sanctions, utilizing methods such as exporting thousands of shipments of LPG, including those from the United States, to generate revenue for Iran.
The sanctions are part of a broader commitment by the U.S. to hold accountable those who assist the Iranian regime in funding activities that are viewed as destabilizing to the region and beyond. These measures come at a critical time, as expectations rise for further communications between Tehran and Washington. Following indirect discussions in Muscat and Rome dating back to April 12, hopes are pinned on a third round of talks scheduled for April 26 in Muscat, with an additional technical meeting planned for the same day.
In recent months, U.S. President Donald Trump has reinstated extensive sanctions under a “maximum pressure” approach against Iran. In March, Trump reached out via a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing negotiations while also issuing a warning about potential military action should diplomatic efforts fail.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the most recent discussions in Rome as “good,” indicating a sense of progress in the negotiations. Additionally, President Trump remarked that the United States had engaged in “very good meetings” regarding Iran. Despite ongoing tensions, Western nations, particularly the U.S., have long contended that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons capability—a claim Tehran has consistently rejected, asserting instead that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful civilian applications.
