Trump kicks off Middle East tour after softening rhetoric on Iran

Source: Iran International

Date: May 13, 2025

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US sanctions Iranian military front company selling oil to China

The United States on Tuesday introduced fresh sanctions against a shipping network it says has sent millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China, the State Department announced.

The network facilitated "the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil worth billions of dollars to China on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its front company, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars (Sepehr Energy)," the State Department's statement said.

The sanctions were imposed one day after Iran International reported that Sepehr Energy company worked on behalf of the Iranian military and spawned a network of shell companies to sell sanctioned Iranian oil to Asia and did business with a Netherlands-based firm that was aware of its government ties.

Business documents and emails obtained by Iran International revealed a layered network of shell companies used to mask the military links and channel the sanctioned oil through foreign intermediaries.

In its statement on Tuesday, the State Department said, "the revenue from the sale of this oil funds the development of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), nuclear proliferation, and Iran’s terrorist proxies, including the Houthis’ attacks on Red Sea Shipping, the US Navy, and Israel."

"The United States will continue to take action in support of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which imposes maximum pressure on the Iranian regime to deny it access to resources that sustain its destabilizing activities," it added.

The State Department said "as long as Iran devotes its illicit revenues to funding attacks on the United States and our allies, supporting terrorism around the world, and pursuing other destabilizing actions, we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to hold the regime accountable."

Two-month timeline for US talks unrealistic, Iranian lawmaker says

Ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States are centered on complex and contentious issues, not routine matters, and are likely to extend beyond the timeframe suggested by Washington, an Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday.

“These are not ordinary discussions. The negotiations are tough and may continue over the long term,” Reza Sepahvand, a member of parliament, said. “While the US side spoke of a two-month timeline, I believe more time will be needed.”

Sepahvand warned against giving the Iranian public false hope or spreading pessimism, urging officials to base public messaging on facts. “We must be honest. Neither overpromise nor instill despair.”

Iran’s president says Supreme Leader sets terms for US talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that any negotiations with the United States would be carried out in full coordination with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and reiterated that Iran would not compromise on what he described as its core principles.

“These negotiations will be conducted in full alignment with the Supreme Leader,” Pezeshkian said, according to ISNA. “We have not and will not tie people’s livelihoods to the talks.”

“We will not retreat from our principles under any circumstances,” he added. “At the same time, we are not seeking tension.”