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US issues new Iran sanctions as Trump says talks with Tehran going ‘very well’
Donald Trump said on Friday that US officials were talking with Iranian representatives and that discussions were going “very well”, while Washington announced further Iran-related sanctions. The moves show sanctions pressure continuing even as the president signals diplomatic engagement.
The Treasury Department sanctioned eight entities based in Canada. It also barred US banks from dealing with Seychelles-registered cryptocurrency exchange MEXC Global, which it accused of processing at least $16 billion in illegal transactions linked to Iran, North Korea and Russia. A day earlier, the US sanctioned people and companies in India and Turkey over alleged assistance with Iranian oil exports and airlines; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would pursue those supporting Tehran.
In short
- Trump says talks with Iranian representatives are going well.
- The US sanctioned eight Canada-based entities.
- MEXC Global was accused of processing at least $16bn in illicit transactions.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of continued sanctions can argue that they preserve pressure on Tehran while talks proceed, raise the cost of activities Washington considers harmful, and signal that diplomatic engagement does not mean those concerns have been dropped. They may see targeted measures as a way to constrain financial networks and oil exports while leaving room for an agreement.
The case against
Critics can argue that expanding sanctions while talks are under way risks undermining trust and making a negotiated outcome harder to reach. They may also question whether measures affecting entities and financial channels beyond Iran impose wider costs without changing Tehran’s conduct, and favour prioritising clear diplomatic incentives.
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