‘Lack of Seriousness’: Iran Recoils at New U.S. Sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Magnate Amid Ongoing Nuclear Talks

Latest Developments

• Network Shipped Liquified Petroleum Gas: The Treasury Department issued new sanctions targeting the Iranian liquified petroleum gas (LPG) magnate Seyed Asadoollah Emamjomeh on April 22. The Treasury stated that Emamjomeh and his corporate network were “collectively responsible for shipping hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG and crude oil to foreign markets.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the latest sanctions as indicative of “the lack of seriousness of the U.S.” amid ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
• Iran Fortifies Underground Nuclear Complex: Newly released satellite images showed Iran fortifying tunnel complexes under Mt. Kolang Gaz La in anticipation of possible U.S. or Israeli airstrikes against its nuclear facilities. The underground tunnel complex will likely hold an advanced centrifuge assembly, replacing the above-ground facility at the nearby Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant destroyed in a 2020 explosion. Iran has not provided any information about the site’s purpose and has not allowed it to be inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• White House Reportedly Aiming for Deal Without ‘Sunset Clauses’: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on April 23 that President Donald Trump did not campaign on “starting wars” and the president “would prefer that there not be a need to resort to military force, either by us or anybody else” in dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on April 22 that a potential deal would not include “sunset provisions” like those contained in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated by the Obama administration but did not say whether the Trump administration would demand that Iran fully dismantle its nuclear program. The United States and Iran will engage in a third round of negotiations over the future of Iran’s nuclear program on April 26.

FDD Expert Response

“While the United States pushes for a diplomatic solution, Tehran is hardening security at its underground Mt. Kolang Gaz La facility — and blocking international inspectors. It’s yet another sign the regime has no intention of dismantling its nuclear program peacefully. Instead, it’s using talks to buy time while repeating the fiction that its program is ‘purely peaceful.’” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“The best gauge on what has so far happened — and likely will happen — in nuclear negotiations is the commentary from the principal players in Tehran. They are happy — and they wouldn’t be if the Trump administration were actually making demands that didn’t amount to another Obama-style punt of the nuclear problem, as well as an abandonment of the hardly ancillary issues of missile development and Iran’s terrorist proxies. Whatever this administration’s strategy of ‘maximum pressure’ means now, it’s not depressing the Iranian theocracy.” — Reuel Marc Gerecht, Resident Scholar

“The economic ‘maximum pressure’ campaign under Trump has yet to demonstrate success. Washington has primarily targeted Iran’s oil exports, which account for less than half of Tehran’s total exports and mainly go to China. Data from February and March indicate that China has not altered its import behavior. Washington’s conciliatory tone in ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran has also contributed to a 25 percent appreciation of the Iranian rial against the U.S. dollar.” — Saeed Ghasseminejad, Senior Iran And Financial Economics Advisor

FDD Background and Analysis

“Maximum Pressure on Tehran Regime in Motion as Trump Builds Negotiating Leverage,” by Janatan Sayeh and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“The Iranian Negotiating Tactic the Trump Administration Doesn’t Get,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh

“U.S. and Iran Hold Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome,” FDD Flash Brief

“FAQ: What Should Be Washington’s Position on Iran’s Nuclear Dismantlement?” by Andra Stricker and Janatan Sayeh