Washington /Tehran, May 3 – U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that countries or individuals purchasing oil or petrochemical products from Iran will face secondary sanctions and will be barred from engaging in any business with the United States.
In a statement posted on his TruthSocial platform, Trump said: “All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW! Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions. They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form.”
The warning marks an escalation in U.S. efforts to economically isolate Tehran amid stalled nuclear negotiations and growing regional tensions.
Talks between the United States and Iran over reviving the nuclear deal have been delayed due to what officials described as “logistical reasons.” Oman, which is mediating the dialogue, announced that a new round of discussions would begin once a date is agreed upon by both sides.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week that he was “cautiously optimistic” about reaching an agreement, provided the U.S. refrains from what he called “unrealistic and impossible demands.”
While Washington has demanded stronger safeguards to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Tehran continues to assert that its nuclear program is purely peaceful and that it retains the right to enrich uranium under international law.
Separately, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Iran of supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen, claiming Tehran’s actions were directly impacting American trade and economic interests.
“We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis,” Hegseth posted on X, formerly Twitter. “We know exactly what you are doing. You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing.”
The U.S. has imposed a series of sanctions on Iran over the years in an effort to curb its nuclear and regional ambitions, though progress has been repeatedly hindered by political friction and shifting diplomatic priorities.
