• Donald Trump reinstates sanctions against Iran's oil sector as part of his "maximum pressure" campaign.
• Trump expresses desire for a "verified nuclear peace agreement" with Iran, prompting Tehran's skeptical response.
• Iranian officials reaffirm their commitment to non-proliferation but condemn recent sanctions as illegitimate.

US President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Iran by reinstating sanctions focused on the nation's oil industry while signaling a potential openness to negotiations regarding its nuclear program. On Thursday, the Trump administration announced that it would impose the first set of sanctions since the president returned to office, targeting entities and individuals connected to Iran's oil network, including stakeholders in China and India. This significant move comes alongside Trump's earlier declaration that it is paramount for Iran not to develop nuclear weapons, stating, "I want Iran to be a great and successful country, but one that cannot have a nuclear weapon” in a post on his Truth Social account.

Trump's return to a hardline stance harkens back to his previous term, where he withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—an agreement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting sanctions. The decision to abandon the deal was described by Tehran as a trigger for its subsequent decision to enrich uranium to 60%, moving closer to weapons-grade levels. The Guardian reported Trump as suggesting he would prefer to open a dialogue with Iran, even joking that he wouldn't be opposed to a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Despite the slight thaw in diplomatic language, Iranian officials have responded sharply, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei labeling negotiations with the US as "neither smart, wise, or honorable.” He contended that past experiences with America, particularly the unilateral abandonment of the JCPOA, had eroded trust and established a clear precedent against future talks. The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that should the US main concern be Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, this is “achievable and not complicated,” reaffirming Iran's commitment to non-proliferation under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In reaction to the newly imposed sanctions, Iranian officials condemned them as “illegitimate and unlawful,” while emphasizing that the nation would not bow to what they perceive as coercive tactics. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson blamed the US for the hardships imposed on the Iranian populace through these unilateral actions, warning of dire repercussions due to US interference in their trade activities. Meanwhile, Iran continues to express a desire for economic cooperation with OPEC allies to counterbalance the sanctions targeting its oil exports.

As tensions mount, the question remains whether Trump’s renewed pressure campaign will lead to diplomatic breakthroughs or further entrench divisions between Washington and Tehran. Observers note that with upcoming pivotal deadlines for the JCPOA and an ongoing economic crisis within Iran, the urgency for dialogue becomes more pronounced, though the path remains fraught with challenges and mutual distrust. None of the recent developments have been favorable for a potential resurgence of negotiations, especially with Trump’s firm position against any concessions to Iran.

For further details on the developments, visit India Times, Al Jazeera, and others.