Trump re-imposes 'maximum pressure' on Iran

US President Donald Trump on February 4 resumed his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, including efforts to reduce the country's oil exports to zero to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Reuters reported on February 5 that before meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Trump signed a memorandum re-imposing the US's tough policy towards Iran - which was implemented throughout his first presidential term (2017-2021).

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on February 4, 2025

According to the memo, Mr. Trump ordered the US Treasury Secretary to impose “maximum economic pressure” on Iran, including sanctions and enforcement mechanisms for those who violate existing sanctions. The memo also directed the US Treasury and the US State Department to carry out a campaign to “drive Iran’s oil exports to zero.”

In signing the memorandum, Mr. Trump described it as a tough move and said he was undecided about whether to do it. President Trump added that he was open to a deal and looked forward to speaking with the Iranian leader.

"To me, it's very simple: Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," Mr Trump said. Asked how close Tehran was to having nuclear weapons, Mr Trump replied: "They're too close."

After signing the memorandum, Mr. Trump accused former US President Joe Biden of not strictly enforcing oil export sanctions, facilitating Iran's oil sales to fund its nuclear weapons program and armed militias in the Middle East.

Earlier, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog told Reuters that Iran was "significantly accelerating" its enrichment of uranium to 60% purity, close to the 90% level needed to make weapons. Iran has denied it wants to develop nuclear weapons.

Tehran's oil exports are expected to bring in $53 billion in 2023 and $54 billion in 2022, according to estimates from the US Energy Information Administration. Production in 2024 would be the highest since 2018, according to data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Mr Trump reduced Iran’s oil exports to near zero during part of his first term after reimposing sanctions. That figure has increased under Mr Biden as Iran has successfully evaded sanctions.

There is no information yet on Iran's reaction to President Trump's new move.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-trump-tai-dat-ap-luc-toi-da-len-iran-185250205103933628.htm