President Donald Trump has announced that countries purchasing oil or petrochemical products from Iran will face secondary sanctions.
The warning, shared via his Truth Social account, has not yet been backed by formal executive orders or Treasury notices but marks a notable escalation in the United States’ “maximum pressure” policy against Iran.
China, the main importer of Iranian oil, may face significant economic repercussions, intensifying ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 1, 2025
Iran’s oil exports have declined since Trump took office, and this new threat could further cripple its already strained economy. On Thursday, Reuters reported that upcoming nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have been delayed. An Iranian source stated the rescheduling was “based on US actions,” arguing that current sanctions undermine diplomatic efforts.
A European diplomat told Israel Hayom that Iran canceled its Saturday meeting with the E3 forum for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, Trump is expected to slightly extend the negotiation window for a revised nuclear deal.