US Imposes New Sanctions, Iran Refuses to Talks

TEHRAN, FRIDAY — The Iranian government has refused to continue indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States after Washington imposed new sanctions. The sanctions were not only imposed on Iran but also on third countries that purchase Iranian products.

The US move could spark new tensions with China, which is already embroiled in a tariff war.

The Omani government, which is facilitating the negotiations, did not explain the actual reasons behind Iran's rejection. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated on X, Thursday (1/5/2025), that the negotiations were postponed due to logistical reasons.

"Due to logistical reasons, we have rescheduled the US-Iran meeting originally planned for Saturday, May 3," he wrote. He added that a new date would be announced once an agreement is reached by the parties involved.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi did not elaborate on the rejection. Through X, he stated that Iran remains committed to pursuing its nuclear program for peaceful purposes.

"On Iran's side, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution," he wrote on X. "We are more committed than ever to reaching a fair and balanced agreement: ensuring the end of sanctions, and creating confidence that Iran's nuclear program will remain peaceful forever while ensuring that Iran's rights are fully respected."

Iran has rejected negotiations after the White House announced sanctions against several business entities in Iran and China for several consecutive days. The first sanctions were imposed on six business entities and six individuals from Iran and China due to their roles in the procurement of propellant materials for the ballistic missile program of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the US State Department, as reported by the US State Department page, said that the six individuals and business entities from China and Iran were sanctioned for facilitating the procurement and delivery of sodium perchlorate and dioctyl sebacate for Iran's ballistic missile program. The US, said Bruce, will do everything in its power, including imposing sanctions, to limit the ballistic missile development program and disrupt the IRGC. Bruce cited the President's National Security Memorandum on February 4, 2025.

Not only sanctions due to the provision of missile propellant materials, on Wednesday (30/4/2025), the United States imposed sanctions on seven business entities involved in the trade of Iranian oil and petrochemicals. The sanctions targeted four sellers and one buyer of Iranian petrochemical products, a maritime management company, and one cargo inspection company.

The US State Department claimed in a statement that the proceeds from the sale of Iranian petrochemical products were used to fund terrorist activities and Iranian proxies. The US president, the State Department said, is committed to reducing Iran's oil and petrochemical exports, including to China, to zero. "The United States will hold Iran and all its partners accountable for their efforts to evade sanctions," the State Department statement said.

The sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran and several entities in China are closely linked to allegations that Iran is supplying weapons and ammunition to the Houthi group in Yemen. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has warned Iran regarding this support.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that the actions of the United States imposing sanctions on Iran and its trading partners are evidence of the contradictory methods employed by the US in addressing an issue. He also mentioned that policymakers in the US do not possess good intentions or seriousness in diplomacy.

The stance of the US government has been fluctuating ahead of several rounds of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. Before the third round took place, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington might allow Iran to have a nuclear program as long as it is for civilian purposes, not for military or armament interests.

The signal was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing Rubio's statement while appearing on The Free Press podcast, Wednesday (4/23/2025). "If Iran wants a civilian nuclear program, they can have one like many other countries in the world," Rubio said.

However, Rubio changed his stance. Rubio, who was recently appointed as National Security Advisor replacing Mike Waltz, stated that if Iran desires a nuclear power plant, the country can import enriched uranium.

"Iran just needs to say, 'We have agreed to no longer enrich,'" said Rubio during the "Hannity" event on Fox News Channel on Thursday night. Regarding the discussions, he added, "This is the best opportunity they will have."

Based on tanker tracking data, in a report from October last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration concluded that China purchased nearly 90 percent of Iran's crude oil and condensate exports in 2023. Beijing is at risk of facing sanctions due to this.

"All purchases of Iranian oil, or petrochemical products, must be stopped. Now!" said Rubio. He stated that any country or individual purchasing these products from Iran will not be able to do business with the United States in any way, shape, or form. (AP/AFP)