Amid the escalating tensions with Iran, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reportedly agreed to ramp up ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme. The additional economic sanctions are planned to force Iran togive up further developing its nuclear programme and the sale of oil to China. The development came after a meeting between the two leaders in Washington on Wednesday, February 11.
“We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China,” a senior US official told Axios. Reports suggest that more than 80 per cent of Iranian oil exports are sent to China. If China reduces oil imports from Iran, it can significantly increase the economic pressure on Tehran.
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Reports suggest that an economic pressure campaign will take place alongside the talks with Iran on its nuclear program and ongoing US military buildup in the Middle East if negotiations fail.
Trump Imposes Tariffs On Iran’s Business Allies
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, to recommend that the US president impose tariffs up to 25 per cent on Iran’s business partner countries.
Axios reported that while Trump and Netanyahu agreed that they wish to impose further pressure on Iran, but disagreed on the ways to get there. The report, citing a US official, further said that Trump believed that a deal with Iran could be reached, but the Israeli leader claimed that Tehran would not abide by it even if a deal is signed.
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On the other hand, Rubo further said that Trump is ready to meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to resolve issues between the two countries.