US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to intensify the “maximum pressure policy” against Iran, aiming to compel Tehran to abandon its nuclear program. A key component of this strategy will be increased efforts to disrupt Iranian oil sales, particularly to China, according to a report citing two US officials.
During their meeting at the White House earlier this week, a senior American official stated, “We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China,” Axios reported. The move is predicated on the understanding that approximately 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports are currently destined for China, leading the US and Israel to believe that curtailing this trade will significantly impact Tehran’s economy.
President Trump, acting under the authority of an executive order signed last week, has the potential to impose a 25% tariff on China for engaging in trade with Iran. This pressure campaign is intended to be implemented in conjunction with ongoing negotiations between Washington, and Tehran.
Oman is slated to mediate another round of talks between the US and Iran next week, though the location has shifted to Geneva, Switzerland, according to an announcement from the Swiss foreign ministry on Wednesday. The exact date of the talks remains undisclosed.
Despite the renewed pressure, the US holds a skeptical outlook regarding the prospects for a successful agreement with Iran. A US official told Axios there is “zero chance” of an agreement, adding, “We are sober and realistic about the Iranians. The ball is in their court. If it is not a real deal, we will not take it.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu also reportedly expressed reservations about Iran’s willingness to abide by any potential agreement. According to the report, Netanyahu stated it was “impossible” to reach a deal with Iran, arguing that even if an agreement were signed, Tehran would not honor its commitments. President Trump reportedly responded, “We’ll see if it’s possible. Let’s give it a shot.”
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have reportedly conveyed to President Trump that Iranian officials are “saying all the right things” during negotiations and have indicated a willingness to continue discussions while maintaining a firm stance. According to a US official, if Iran agrees to US proposals, Trump will be presented with options for a final decision.
An Iranian journalist reported that a proposal from Witkoff included a suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment for a period of three to five years, after which limited enrichment would be permitted. The proposal also called for the removal of 450 kilograms of highly enriched uranium currently held by Iran and its relocation to a third country. However, this proposal was reportedly rejected by Tehran, though a US official denied that Washington ever made such an offer.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Saturday that President Trump would be open to meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an effort to resolve disputes between the two countries. “I’m pretty confident in saying that if the ayatollah said tomorrow he wanted to meet with President Trump, the President would meet him, not because he agrees with the ayatollah but because he thinks that’s the way you solve problems in the world,” Rubio said during an interview in Munich.
Rubio emphasized that the US remains resolute in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and maintains a significant military presence in the region to deter potential attacks on US interests and allies. He also stated that Trump prefers to resolve the dispute through a negotiated agreement.
