In a recent development, President Trump expressed optimism, stating he anticipates an imminent proposal from Iranian leaders aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. This statement came shortly after new sanctions were imposed on some of Iran’s top weapons suppliers.
As discussions continue to reopen the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, President Trump informed reporters that a decision from Iran regarding a peace proposal was expected by Friday evening. This information was reported by Reuters, highlighting the potential for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the President’s sentiments, expressing hope that Iran’s forthcoming proposal would be substantial and meaningful. This comes after a period marked by bombings and blockades between the two nations.
Despite the initiation of a ceasefire in April, tensions flared once again after the United States launched ‘self-defense’ strikes on Friday. These strikes targeted two oil tankers, raising questions about the stability of the ceasefire.
Nevertheless, President Trump asserted that these recent actions did not violate the fragile ceasefire agreement, suggesting a continued commitment to finding a peaceful resolution.
Coinciding with these developments, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions targeting ten suppliers linked to Iran’s military weapons procurement, underscoring the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the negotiations.
‘While the surviving [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] leaders are trapped like rats in a sinking ship, the Treasury Department is unrelenting in our Economic Fury campaign,’ said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in a press release.
‘Under President Trump’s decisive leadership, we will continue to act to Keep America Safe and target foreign individuals and companies providing Iran’s military with weapons for use against U.S. forces.’
President Trump told reporters that he expected an answer from Iran tonight amid ongoing negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz
Per the release, the US Treasury has implemented ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran’s ability to move and generate funds allocated for weapons and oil.
Among the sanctioned groups are China’s Yushita Shanghai International Trade Co Ltd, Dubai’s Elite Energy FZCO, Hong Kong’s Hesin Industry Co Limited and multiple Belarusian entities.
‘Treasury is aggressively advancing Economic Fury and has disrupted billions in projected oil revenue, taken actions that have led to the freezing of nearly half a billion dollars in regime-linked cryptocurrency and cracked down on Tehran’s shadow banking networks,’ it said.
The Trump administration has targeted Iran’s primary revenue streams and ‘any person or vessel facilitating the illicit flow of oil or other products risks exposure to U.S. sanctions.’
‘As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked and must be reported,’ the statement concluded.
Trump’s Economic Fury was announced in April as another pressure point against Iran in tandem with Operation Epic Fury.
The US disabled multiple Iran oil tankers this week, though the president said the apprehensions were not in breach of the ceasefire
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at the time that the two initiatives were meant to ‘maximize pressure across the entirety of the government to Iran.’
‘You, Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran. In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade, this successful blockade,’ he said.
‘But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.’
As a result, on May 8, US forces disabled two Iranian oil tankers that attempted to enter the Gulf of Oman in ‘violation of the ongoing US blockade.’ Another oil tanker was stopped on May 6.
The US fired precision munitions at each ship’s smoke stacks to prevent them from entering Iranian ports, reported the US Central Command.
‘US forces in the Middle East remain committed to full enforcement of the blockade of vessels entering or leaving Iran,’ said Admiral Brad Cooper. ‘Our highly trained men and women in uniform are doing incredible work.’
USS Rafael Peralta implemented a maritime blockade against the Iran-flagged crude oil tanker vessel Stream. The US ship was attacked by Iran on Thursday but was not struck
As alleged peace agreements near, Iranian leaders claimed that the US’s strikes have breached ceasefire agreements made between the countries on April 8.
‘Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a reckless military adventure,’ Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said in a statement, the Daily Mail previously reported.
But, US Central Command said on Thursday that its forces intercepted an ‘unprovoked’ Iranian attack on three of its vessels as they transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman.
Still, the president has remained confident that peace agreements are near.
‘It’s just a love tap,’ Trump said of the strikes. ‘The ceasefire is going. It’s in effect.’
This is a breaking news story.
