Iran casts doubt on shift in U.S. sanctions policy

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, has voiced skepticism over the United States' willingness to ease sanctions, a key sticking point in the ongoing nuclear talks.

Tensions between the two nations have persisted since Washington's 2018 exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with Tehran insisting on firm and transparent assurances regarding the lifting of sanctions.

Baghaei underscored the importance of tangible shifts in the U.S. position on sanctions, pointing out that no meaningful progress has been observed to date.

He added that Iran is now taking a more guarded approach to international agreements, aiming to secure firm guarantees and avoid a repeat of previous instances where deals were compromised.

The United States has continued to adopt a tough posture, most recently imposing sanctions in April 2025 on entities linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

President Trump has further escalated tensions by warning of additional economic and military actions if a new agreement isn't secured, deepening the diplomatic challenges.

In 2015, Iran agreed to curtail its nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

That agreement began to unravel in 2018 when the U.S., under President Trump, unilaterally withdrew and reinstated nuclear-related sanctions, sharply increasing tensions.

The move strained U.S. relations with its allies, and although talks to revive or renegotiate the deal have continued, progress remains slow due to entrenched positions on both sides.

President Masoud Pezeshkian has suggested that Iran can endure without a renewed agreement, a signal of both resilience and growing frustration. In response to U.S. pressure, Iran has resumed elements of its nuclear program.

Tehran has firmly rejected American calls to abandon uranium enrichment in favor of a multinational consortium, citing trust issues rooted in past betrayals.

Iranian leaders continue to point to the 2018 sanctions snapback, criticized by the United Nations for its severe economic impact, as a key reason for their cautious stance today.

On April 9, 2025, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on five companies and one individual accused of supporting Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) and the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA).

The move, enacted under Executive Order 13382, is part of Washington’s broader effort to counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

President Trump reinforced this stance by warning that any nation purchasing oil from Iran would be barred from doing business with the U.S., further tightening economic pressure on Tehran.

This approach aligns with the “maximum pressure” strategy that has defined U.S. policy toward Iran since its withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018.

Talks are still ongoing, with some reports pointing to the possibility of a temporary halt in Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for the U.S. acknowledging Iran’s nuclear rights and unfreezing blocked assets.

However, the negotiations face significant hurdles. With both sides holding firm to opposing conditions, the risk of heightened tensions looms if no agreement is reached by mid-2025.

The U.S. continues to demand a complete end to enrichment activities, viewing them as a path to potential nuclear weapons. Iran insists its program is for civilian use only, creating a diplomatic impasse.

The situation is further strained by Iran’s plans to begin large-scale uranium enrichment this year—a move that raises international proliferation concerns.

Iran’s latest remarks may also be intended to shape global opinion or exert pressure on Washington at a critical moment in the talks, particularly as Tehran looks to strengthen ties with China and Russia as alternative strategic partners.