President Donald Trump is expected to restore his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, according to reports. An executive order on the matter is forthcoming.
The order is expected to direct the U.S. Treasury Secretary to implement “maximum economic pressure” on Iran, including sanctions. Its goal is to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The pressure is “aimed at driving Iran’s oil exports to zero,” a U.S. official shared with Reuters.
A former White House official told The Wall Street Journal in November that Trump planned to pursue the policy. “I think you are going to see the sanctions go back on, you are going to see much more, both diplomatically and financially, they are trying to isolate Iran,” the former official said. “I think the perception is that Iran is definitely in a position of weakness right now, and now is an opportunity to exploit that weakness.”
In December, Britain, France, and Germany told the United Nations Security Council that they are prepared to launch a snap-back of international sanctions on Iran.
“Iran must de-escalate its nuclear program to create the political environment conducive to meaningful progress and a negotiated solution,” the countries’ U.N. ambassadors wrote at the time. “We reiterate our determination to use all diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, including using snap back if necessary.”
After Trump secured victory in the 2024 Presidential Election, the Biden administration granted $10 billion in sanctions relief to Iran. The decision allowed Iraq to transfer funds to Iran.
Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) thanked Trump for his forthcoming action, writing on X, “A reminder that Joe Biden awarded Iran, the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism, $100 BILLION in sanctions relief during his administration.”
“Thank you President Trump for putting maximum pressure back on Iran and restoring PEACE through STRENGTH!”
