The United States has issued a new round of sanctions against Iran on the eve of possible talks to close more of seven weeks of fighting between the two countries.The US Department of the Treasury announced the penalties on Tuesday, targeting 14 individuals and entities it accused of helping Iran acquire weapon components.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe sanctions highlight US President Donald Trump’s push to increase the financial pressure on Iran as he seeks major concessions to end the war. Iran is likely to demand sanctions relief as part of any future agreement.“The Iranian regime must be held accountable for its extortion of global energy markets and indiscriminate targeting of civilians with missiles and drones,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.“Under President Trump’s leadership, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury will continue to follow the money and target the Iranian regime’s recklessness and those who enable it.”The sanctions come as talks between US and Iranian officials — scheduled for Wednesday in Pakistan — are up in the air, with Tehran refusing to commit to attending due to the ongoing US blockade against its ports.Shortly after the sanctions were announced, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he would extend an existing ceasefire that was initially scheduled for two weeks.Its expiry was set for Wednesday. Trump had previously said that he did not want to extend it.But in his sudden about-face, Trump said the pause in the fighting would continue “until such time as [Iran’s] leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal”. …
