US issues new sanctions as it dials up pressure on Iran
Al Jazeera
Washington penalties target oil vessels as Trump administration intensifies ‘maximum pressure’ campaign against Tehran.
The United States has issued a new wave of sanctions against Iran, targeting ships that it said are selling Iranian oil to help fund the country’s ballistic missile programme.
The penalties on Wednesday come a day after President Donald Trump renewed his threats against Iran in his State of the Union address.
“Iran exploits financial systems to sell illicit oil, launder the proceeds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement.
“Under President Trump’s strong leadership, Treasury will continue to put maximum pressure on Iran to target the regime’s weapons capabilities and support for terrorism, which it has prioritised over the lives of the Iranian people.”
While the US describes the Iranian oil trade as “illicit”, Iran, which is selling its own petroleum products, describes the crackdown on its energy sector as piracy.
Mexico kills cartel leader El Mencho. Violence erupts nationwide. What changes now?
Breaking down the row involving Pakistani cricketers’ presence in a franchise league in which Indian businesses own teams.
Japan plans to deploy missiles near Taiwan, a move analysts say risks deepening regional tensions with China.
The tightening strategic embrace between New Delhi and Tel Aviv could test Pakistan’s diplomacy, say analysts.
What many in the West perceived as a strategic blunder is increasingly seen in Moscow as a costly but necessary and ultimately successful gamble.
Anthropic was the first AI developer to be used in classified operations by the US Defense Department.
The quick victory never came. But a functional economy, controlled media and slow battle gains give Putin control.
The immediate ban covers all raw minerals already in transit and will remain in place until further notice.
Several people were killed in fighting in Syria’s Latakia where suspected Assad regime supporters attacked security.
Women and children among those killed and 14 others wounded in air strikes on a village market in Rakhine.
Group says its new public database reveals extent of broad crackdown on solidarity movement.
Al Jazeera explains what India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the other four nations need to do to join England in the semis.