This photo released on Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)
"As part of President Trump’s broad and aggressive maximum pressure campaign, Treasury today is targeting another teapot refinery that imported Iranian oil," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "The United States remains resolved to intensify pressure on all elements of Iran’s oil supply chain to prevent the regime from generating revenue to further its destabilizing agenda."
The sanctions come following President Donald Trump’s executive order, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors – as well as another executive order targeting those that provide support to the National Iranian Oil Company.
Vice President JD Vance recently previewed the next round of talks, saying May 7, 2025, the U.S. was negotiating toward a "complete cessation" of Tehran's nuclear program. (Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images)
Vance said he didn’t believe it "actually served the function of preventing the Iranians from getting on the pathway to nuclear weapons."
Vance also said the Trump administration believes that there were some elements of the Iranian nuclear program that were actually "preserved" under the JCPOA.
"Yes, there weren't nuclear weapons. Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon," Vance said, arguing the deal "allowed Iran to sort of stay on this glide path toward a nuclear weapon if they flip the switch and press go."
"We think that there is a deal here that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy," Vance said ahead of the talks. "That would be really good for the Iranian people, but would result in the complete cessation of any chance that they can get a nuclear weapon. And that's what we're negotiating toward. And as the president has said, that's Option A."
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If Option A is "very good for the Iranian people," Vance said, then Option B "is very bad."
"It's very bad for everybody," Vance said. "And it's not what we want, but it's better than Option C, which is Iran getting a nuclear weapon. That is what is completely off the table for the American administration. No ifs, ands or buts."
As for Trump, he said during a recent interview on NBC’s "Meet the Press" that he would only accept "total dismantlement" of Iran's nuclear program.
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-targets-iranian-oil-sanctions-increasing-pressure-islamic-republic-make-deal-nukes