United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday hinted that they might ease the Iran oil sanctions to help rebuild the country, while maintaining its maximum pressure campaign on Iran, including oil sale restrictions. “They’re going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen,” Trump stated during a Nato Summit news conference when questioned about the possible relaxation of Iranian oil sanctions, Reuters reported. Following Israel and Iran’s agreement to a ceasefire, Trump suggested that China could proceed with Iranian oil purchases. However, the White House subsequently clarified that this statement did not suggest any modification to existing US sanctions. The Trump administration previously implemented multiple sanctions affecting China’s independent “teapot” refineries and port terminal operators due to their Iranian oil purchases. In conversation with CNBC, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff explained that Trump’s statement regarding china’s oil purchases from Iran was intended to demonstrate willingness for cooperation with China, rather than causing economic harm. China, as Iran’s primary crude oil customer, has consistently opposed Trump’s sanctions on the oil trade. “We’re interested in working together with you in unison, and hopefully that becomes a signal to the Iranians,” Witkoff said.
