President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order on Tuesday, reinstating a 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran. The order coincided with a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.
During the announcement, Trump expressed his mixed feelings about signing the order, stating that he was 'unhappy to do it' due to its tough stance on Iran. He emphasized the hope that the measures outlined in the order would not need to be extensively utilized.
The executive order directs the Treasury Department to implement 'maximum economic pressure' on Iran through a series of sanctions targeting the country's oil exports. This move aligns with Trump's previous administration's strategy of imposing strict sanctions and enforcing them rigorously.
Lawmakers, including Senators Lindsey Graham and John Fetterman, have also shown interest in increasing pressure on Iran. A resolution introduced by them and other House members emphasizes the importance of keeping all options on the table to address Iran's nuclear threat.
Graham warned that Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon would have severe global consequences, describing it as a potentially destabilizing event. He advocated for decisive action to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat, suggesting that the U.S. should support Israel in taking action against Iran's nuclear program.
Trump's decision to reimpose strict sanctions on Iran followed the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, had lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities.
Despite the tough stance on Iran, Trump hinted at the possibility of negotiating a new nuclear deal with the country. He expressed optimism about reaching an agreement and avoiding the need for military intervention.
In addition to the executive order on Iran, Trump also took actions to withdraw the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council and reduce funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
