U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatens to reduce Iran’s energy exports to zero, intensifying sanctions to cripple the Persian nation’s economy.

Related:

Iran and the US agree to a new round of negotiations on the Omani nuclear program

In a new chapter of U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, Washington has reinforced its “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Tuesday that the U.S. will slash Iran’s energy exports to “zero,” directly targeting the country’s primary revenue source. This move builds on recent sanctions against oil trade networks and entities linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

Bessent, in several public statements and social media posts, asserted that the Trump administration would “disrupt the entire supply chain” of Iranian oil. His warning includes sanctions against refineries, intermediaries, and companies trading Iranian crude, even outside U.S. jurisdiction. The stance replicates the policy applied during Trump’s first term, when Iranian exports plummeted to historic lows after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The pressure particularly targets China, Iran’s largest oil buyer, with recent sanctions imposed on a Chinese refinery accused of purchasing over $1 billion in crude. This measure highlights the contradiction of a policy that exempts allies like India from similar restrictions while criminalizing commercial transactions by nations rejecting U.S. unilateralism.

The Trump Administration has made one thing clear: We will apply maximum pressure on Iran and disrupt the regime’s oil supply chain and exports, which support terrorist proxies and partners.

Any refinery, company, or broker that chooses to purchase Iranian oil or facilitate…

— Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 16, 2025

Iran’s “Ghost Fleet” and Sanctions on Global Actors
The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned a network of over 30 vessels and companies in India, the UAE, and China in recent weeks, including Indian shipping magnate Jugwinder Singh Brar. These actions aim to block the “ship-to-ship” transfer system Iran uses to evade restrictions.

The escalation comes despite prior announcements of bilateral dialogue, including a failed high-level meeting scheduled for mid-April. Trump maintains a contradictory rhetoric: while threatening to “annihilate” Iran if it targets U.S. interests, he insists on negotiations that Tehran dismisses. Energy Secretary Chris Wright even hinted that military actions could be on the table.

Experts argue the measures aim to weaken Iran as a geopolitical actor in the Middle East, particularly its support for groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. However, the strategy has drawn criticism for its selectivity: while criminalizing Iranian trade, allies like Saudi Arabia maintain unrestricted commercial relations.

The Trump administration insists on a maximalist approach combining extraterritorial sanctions, military threats, and diplomatic pressure. Yet ,this strategy has not only failed to stop Iran’s nuclear program, but it has also exacerbated the tension between the two nations at a critical time for the global economy, which depends on stable hydrocarbon flows. The international community watches with concern as this unilateral policy risks further destabilization to an already volatile region.

EN ESTA NOTA: