While discussions continue over potential direct talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program, the US Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions on five Iranian entities and one individual.
In a statement on Wednesday (April 9), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens not only the United States but also regional and global security.
"The US will continue its efforts to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program in a way that could destabilize the world," he added.
Bessent confirmed that those sanctioned are directly involved in Iran's nuclear activities. Although the official statement did not name them, a source within the Treasury disclosed that two of the five entities were already under US sanctions.
These include the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA)—key organizations overseeing Iran's nuclear development.
Just days earlier, on April 7, former President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement that direct nuclear talks were set to begin between Washington and Tehran. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi clarified that any negotiations would be indirect, with Oman serving as a mediator.
On April 8, Trump issued a stern warning, saying that if the talks fail, Iran could face severe consequences—possibly even military strikes.
