Fresh U.S. Sanctions Hit Iran After Ceasefire — Peace or Power Play?

July 4, 2025: Just weeks after a tense ceasefire between Iran and Israel, the United States has imposed new sanctions on Tehran’s oil sector, reigniting pressure on the Islamic Republic. These are the first energy-related sanctions since the ceasefire took effect on June 24, as per Al Jazeera.

The new sanctions target Iran’s oil exports and accuse Iraqi businessman Salim Ahmed Said and his UAE-based firm of helping smuggle Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi crude.“Iran has had every chance to choose peace, but its leaders continue to fuel extremism,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, vowing to further tighten economic pressure on Iran’s funding sources.

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Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had hinted at allowing China to purchase Iranian oil, suggesting a brief softening of Washington’s stance. However, that idea was quickly scrapped after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei claimed “victory over Israel,” prompting Trump to reverse course and halt any sanction relief.

In a dramatic revelation, Trump claimed he stopped Israel from assassinating Khamenei, saving him from a “VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH.” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed there was intent but no operational window.

The Iran-Israel conflict ignited on June 13 with Israel launching “Operation Rising Lion“, striking key nuclear and military sites in Iran. High-ranking IRGC officials and nuclear scientists were reportedly killed.

That was followed by the U.S.’s “Operation Midnight Hammer” (June 21–22), further damaging Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes at Israel and targeted a U.S. airbase in Qatar, calling the joint operations a “violation of international law.”

Tehran has since cut ties with the IAEA, suspending cooperation and accusing the nuclear watchdog of bias for not condemning the Israeli and U.S. attacks.

Despite earlier diplomatic signals from Trump, including a two-week window for peace talks with Europe, the return to sanctions indicates that pressure, not peace, may be the chosen path forward.

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