President of the United States, Donald Trump, spoke this evening (Wednesday) with Russian President Vladimir Putin about several urgent matters, including the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. During the call, Trump emphasized that the Iranian regime must quickly decide whether it intends to continue its nuclear program, stating that “time is running out,” and that a decision must be made very soon. “The Iranians are dragging their feet on this critical decision, and they must provide a final answer shortly,” Trump said.
American Sanctions – A Blow to Iran
The sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on Iran’s oil sector—which demand that countries, particularly China, halt their purchases of Iranian oil—continue to severely harm Iran’s economy.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Iranian oil exports to China dropped by 20% in May compared to the same month last year, reaching only 1.1 million barrels per day. China, which still buys large quantities of oil from Iran, is considered a critical partner for the Iranian oil-dependent economy. This decline represents a significant blow to the regime.
Attempt to Evade the Sanctions
In an effort to circumvent the sanctions, Iran has been employing covert mechanisms, including transferring oil cargo from tanker to tanker at sea in order to conceal the origin of the oil. Trump warned that anyone who continues to purchase oil from Iran will face severe American sanctions.
“The Iranians will face serious consequences if they continue to insist on their current path,” Trump said, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
