Trump imposes new Iran oil sanctions during nuclear talks

The Trump administration announced new sanctions on Friday, February 6, 2026, targeting entities linked to Iran's oil trade. The State Department sanctioned 15 entities and two individuals, and designated 14 shadow fleet vessels involved in transporting Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. These designations were made under Executive Order 13846.

Trump also signed an executive order on February 6 threatening tariffs on any country that directly or indirectly buys goods or services from Iran. The order established a process for imposing up to 25 percent tariffs on imports from countries trading with Iran, affecting major trading partners including China, India, Turkey, Brazil, and Russia. The tariff order took effect at 12:01 AM on February 7, 2026.

The timing is significant because the sanctions were announced the same day nuclear talks in Oman concluded. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner met directly with Iran's Foreign Minister AAAbbas Araghchi in Muscat. The rest of the talks continued indirectly, with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi mediating. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper also joined the U.S. delegation, marking the first time a senior military official participated in talks with Iran during Trump's second term.

The dual-track strategy maintains U.S. leverage during negotiations. Iran faces continued economic pain from sanctions even while discussing nuclear limits. The sanctions signal that agreeing to continue talks does not earn sanctions relief. Only a final nuclear deal would lift penalties. This gives U.S. negotiators pressure points - Iran must make concessions on nuclear issues to get economic relief.

Presidents have broad authority to impose sanctions through executive orders under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump can designate entities as threats to national security without congressional approval for initial sanctions. Congress can pass legislation imposing additional sanctions or restricting the president's ability to lift them, but presidents control day-to-day sanctions policy.

The State Department designates entities for sanctions under executive orders, while the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control enforces sanctions by blocking property, maintaining lists of designated persons, and prohibiting transactions. OFAC can impose civil penalties on violators and works with the Justice Department on criminal prosecutions for sanctions evasion.

Iran's oil exports are already heavily sanctioned, but enforcement varies and new entities continuously emerge to evade restrictions. The petroleum sector is Iran's largest source of foreign revenue. Sanctions aim to pressure Iran economically by cutting access to oil income. Iran has developed workarounds including ship-to-ship transfers, false documentation, and using front companies to disguise oil sales.

The sanctions create tensions with countries that buy Iranian oil, particularly China. Secondary sanctions threaten penalties on foreign banks and companies that facilitate Iranian oil transactions. This extraterritorial reach extends U.S. sanctions beyond American jurisdiction. Other countries often resent this but comply to maintain access to U.S. financial systems.