Just now! The United States announced: sanctions! Trump ordered: increase tariffs!

U.S. Imposes “Maximum Pressure” on Iran

On February 6th, local time, the U.S. State Department announced sanctions against 15 entities and 2 individuals involved in transactions related to Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, or petrochemical products. On the same day, the White House issued a statement saying that President Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries engaged in trade with Iran.

According to the latest news, Iran’s armed forces have entered the highest level of alert status in days or even months since the evening of February 6th. On the same day, Iranian Army Commander Ali Jahan Shahi stated that Iran’s armed forces will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Previously, Trump threatened that if an agreement could not be reached, “bad things could happen.”

In the market, on February 6th, international precious metals prices surged across the board, with spot gold rising 3.98% to $4,966.61 per ounce; spot silver jumped 9.7% to $77.78 per ounce. International oil prices also rose collectively, with WTI crude oil futures up 0.41% to $63.55 per barrel; Brent crude oil futures up 0.74% to $68.05 per barrel.

U.S. Announces: Sanctions

According to CCTV News, on February 6th, local time, the U.S. State Department stated that it would impose sanctions on 15 entities and 2 individuals involved in transactions related to Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, or petrochemical products, and designated 14 ships as assets involved in transporting Iranian oil and related products.

The State Department issued a statement saying that the U.S. government is implementing “maximum pressure” on Iran to significantly reduce the country’s “illegal exports of oil and petrochemical products.”

Iran and the U.S. held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, on the 6th. White House spokesperson Judd Deere said on the 5th that besides diplomatic means, “there are many options to consider” regarding U.S.-Iran negotiations.

On the same day, the White House issued a statement that President Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries engaged in trade with Iran.

The statement said that from the effective date of this order, additional tariffs, such as 25%, may be levied on imported goods to the U.S. if they originate from countries that directly or indirectly purchase, import, or otherwise obtain goods and services from Iran.

Previously, on January 12th, Trump posted on social media that from that day, any country conducting business with Iran would be subject to a 25% tariff on all commercial activities with the U.S. Trump emphasized that this decision is “final and unchangeable.”

Trump also stated that the U.S. would resume negotiations with Iran next week.

Trump said Iran wants to reach an agreement. “We have plenty of time” to do so. Trump reaffirmed that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons.

On Air Force One, Trump said, “We had very good talks, and Iran seems very eager to reach an agreement. We need to see what the deal entails. I think Iran looks very eager to make a deal. We have a large fleet, a large navy heading in that direction, and they will arrive soon. We will see how things develop.”

According to reports, after the negotiations ended that day, Alagzzi said in an interview that the Iranian delegation must return to Tehran to discuss “key issues” and prepare for future negotiations.

According to Xinhua News Agency, citing the Islamic Republic News Agency, during the first phase of negotiations held in Muscat, Oman, on the morning of the 6th, Iran submitted a preliminary plan to Oman regarding controlling the current situation and promoting the negotiation process. Oman forwarded this plan to U.S. Special Envoy Wittekov. It is understood that the U.S. delegation has completed reviewing this plan. In the second phase of negotiations, the U.S. response will be conveyed to Iran.

“Highest Level of Alert”

According to Iranian media on February 6th, citing an official from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, starting from that evening, Iran’s armed forces will enter the highest level of alert status in days or even months.

On the same day, Iranian Army Commander Ali Jahan Shahi stated that Iran’s armed forces will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While attending an event in Kerman, Iran, Ali Jahan Shahi said, “The enemy attempts to disintegrate the Islamic regime and divide the country by creating despair and weakening religious and revolutionary beliefs.” Under the leadership of Supreme Leader Khamenei and with the support of the people, Iran’s armed forces will firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ali Jahan Shahi said that Iran’s new military equipment is based on four features: “precision, range, networking, and intelligence,” and that the application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, along with continuous tactical training, has significantly enhanced the army’s combat readiness.

Currently, Israel is on high alert. On February 5th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated during a discussion with the Knesset Foreign and Defense Committee that Israel is prepared to launch “very severe strikes” against Iran, with the level and intensity of the strikes far exceeding last June’s actions against Iran.

According to CCTV News, analysts believe that against the backdrop of U.S.-Iran military confrontation, this round of negotiations has somewhat eased tensions. However, on the other hand, the negotiations only involved exchange of opinions between the U.S. and Iran, and no agreement has been reached on the framework, agenda, or timing of the next round. Therefore, the final outcome of the negotiations cannot yet be predicted. Analysts point out that until the military threat from the U.S. and Israel against Iran is fully lifted, Iran must be fully prepared both diplomatically and militarily and respond cautiously to the current situation.

Experts note that while there is hope, if these negotiations fail, the U.S. will clearly continue efforts toward military action. The military deployment to the Middle East, including recent troop increases, indicates that the U.S. is already in a “ready to strike” phase. Therefore, this U.S.-Iran negotiation has gone beyond the traditional nuclear issue talks and directly involves the region’s war and peace dynamics.

(Source: Securities Times)