President-elect Donald Trump plans to drastically increase sanctions on Iran and throttle its oil sales as part of an aggressive strategy to undercut Tehran’s support of violent Mideast proxies and its nuclear program, according to people briefed on his early plans.
Trump took a dim view of Iran during his first term, aborting a six-nation agreement with Tehran—known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—that sought to curb Iran’s nuclear weapons work. He also imposed what was described as a “maximum pressure” strategy in hopes Iran would abandon ambitions for a nuclear weapon, stop funding and training what the U.S. considers terrorist groups and improve its human-rights record.
But when he takes office on Jan. 20, Trump’s approach to Iran is likely to be colored by the knowledge that its agents tried to assassinate him and former top national security aides after they left office, former Trump officials said. Iran is believed to be seeking revenge for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s covert paramilitary operations.“People tend to take that stuff personally,” said Mick Mulroy, a top Pentagon official for the Mideast in Trump’s first term. “If he’s going to be hawkish on any particular country, designated major adversaries, it’s Iran.”
“People tend to take that stuff personally,” said Mick Mulroy, a top Pentagon official for the Mideast in Trump’s first term. “If he’s going to be hawkish on any particular country, designated major adversaries, it’s Iran.”
The people briefed on Trump’s plans and in touch with his top advisers said the new team would move rapidly to try to choke off Iran’s oil income, including going after foreign ports and traders who handle Iranian oil. That would re-create the strategy that the former president adopted in his first term, with mixed results.
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@7WW56WXRight-Wing1yr1Y
Trump’s not on a ‘vendetta’; he’s protecting us! Iran has repeatedly shown they can’t be trusted—they’re hostile to the U.S. and Israel and support terror groups. We need a tough leader to show strength, not roll over.
@8TB79Y2Human Rights1yr1Y
Sanctions only hurt the Iranian people, not the leaders. We’re starving an entire nation’s economy, and for what? People are already suffering from poverty and lack of resources. A more diplomatic approach is the only humane answer.
Trust me, as an Iranian, I know my government is brutal and needs to change, but sanctions don’t help. They empower the regime, who then blame the West for the hardships. Sanctions don’t bring reform—they make life worse for ordinary Iranians.
About time! Iran has been stirring trouble for decades, funding terrorists and trying to build nukes. We tried diplomacy, and they still want revenge for Soleimani. Trump’s right to turn up the pressure—no soft stance will keep us safe!
As someone with family in Iran, this is personal. Sanctions crush regular people, not the regime! It’s easy for people here to talk tough without seeing the suffering sanctions create—limited food, medicine shortages, rising poverty.
@MAGA_Deplorable1yr1Y
Trump, please don't listen to the neocon scum who are trying to convince you to get us into another war by telling you "Iran" is trying to kill you. They are the ones who want you dead. The elites. The Deep State. The political class. Do not listen to them. Do not let them try to do something your instincts tell you is foolish.
America’s unilateral sanctions policy alienates allies. Sanctions without international support create gaps for Iran to exploit. This hardline approach only drives a wedge between the U.S. and Europe, weakening our collective position
Why are we even involved? America can’t afford to be the world’s police. Let’s mind our own business instead of squeezing foreign economies and creating enemies abroad. Sanctions only invite retaliation against us and limit our own freedoms.
@RatMiaMilitarism1yr1Y
Maximum pressure may be the only language Iran understands. They fund terrorist groups that threaten both America and our allies. I support any moves that cut their oil revenue and limit their ability to cause harm.
This is just reckless. Iran's people deserve peace and progress, not economic strangulation. What happened to using diplomacy, treaties, and building trust? Trump’s vendetta against Iran is dangerous and immature.
The ‘maximum pressure’ strategy didn’t achieve much last time—Iran didn’t back down. If anything, it escalated tensions. I get why Trump wants to hit them hard, but this could end up being counterproductive for stability in the region.
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