Donald Trump demands end to Iranian oil purchases, threatens secondary sanctions
US President Donald Trump has declared a strict halt to all global purchases of Iranian oil and petrochemical products, warning that any individual or country violating the directive will face immediate secondary sanctions.
In a statement posted on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump wrote, “They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form.”
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following the postponement of US-Iran nuclear talks, which were scheduled to take place in Rome on Saturday. A senior Iranian official said that a new date would depend on Washington’s approach moving forward.
Trump’s administration has resumed its “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, reinstating sanctions and targeting entities it accuses of engaging in illicit oil and petrochemical trade. Recent measures include penalties on a China-based crude oil storage terminal and an independent refiner believed to be involved in such activities.
The strategy is designed to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero and prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon. Analysts, however, note that to fully enforce this crackdown, the US may need to impose secondary sanctions on major players such as Chinese banks, given China’s status as the largest buyer of Iranian crude.
Secondary sanctions — a hallmark of American economic power — allow the US to penalise third parties by restricting their access to its vast market if they conduct business with sanctioned countries like Iran.
