US official: Trump expected to reimpose 'maximum pressure' policy on Iran

A US official said President Donald Trump is expected to sign a presidential memorandum on Tuesday resuming a "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran to achieve "zero exports" and aim to deny Iran all paths to obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The move is reminiscent of the tough US policy towards Iran that Republican Trump pursued throughout his first term. Trump accused his Democratic predecessor, former President Joe Biden, of weakening US resolve towards Iran.

Trump's directive orders the US Treasury Secretary to impose "maximum economic pressure" on Iran, including sanctions and enforcement mechanisms on those who violate existing sanctions, the official told Reuters.

As part of its maximum pressure effort, the Trump administration will implement a campaign “aimed at driving Iranian oil exports to zero,” the official said.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The official said that US representatives at the United Nations will work with key allies "to complete the re-imposition of international sanctions and restrictions on Iran."

He added that Trump's decision on Iran aims to deny Tehran all means to obtain a nuclear weapon and to confront Iran's "malign influence."

In 2015, the Iranian nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group, which included lifting sanctions imposed on Iran in exchange for restricting its nuclear program.

Source: Reuters