President Donald Trump delivered an address at an investment summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13 and branded Iran the “most destructive force” in the Middle East and reiterated the US position that they would never allow it to develop nuclear weapons. Asked for final warning to Iran while leaving an avenue open for diplomatic negotiations he stated they must decide between continuing down their current path of “chaos and terror” or opting for peace as the two options could go hand-in-hand.
Trump stressed his offer would not remain open indefinitely and stressed the United States’ determination to apply “massive maximum pressure” if Iran declines. He contrasted Saudi Arabia’s constructive regional vision with Iran’s leadership who caused “collapse and suffering”. POLITICO
As well as his comments about Iran, Trump also promoted an optimistic vision of peace and economic prosperity in the Middle East, proclaiming this period to be its “golden age”. To achieve this goal, he signed an historic $142 billion arms deal with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as well as announced over $1 trillion worth of regional investments toward the US. Trump encouraged regional powers – including Iran – to abandon conflict for wealth and stability by warning of maximum pressure if Tehran did not comply. (AP News +3
The Times +3 The Guardian).
Due to ongoing conflict in Gaza, Saudi Arabia decided not to sign the Abraham Accords due to Trump’s approach of marginalizing Israel while opening nuclear negotiations with Iran again. Trump stressed regional transformation through economic development while hailing Gulf nations while calling for peace through prosperity; according to The New York Sun and Times as well as New York Post reports.
As part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, the Treasury Department of the U.S. has sanctioned over two dozen companies suspected of aiding in shipping Iranian crude oil to China as part of “maximum pressure.” These sanctions target Hong Kong-based entities including Xin Rui Ji, Star Energy and Milen Trading which allegedly serve as front companies for Sepehr Energy which has links to Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff; these firms were reported directing Iranian oil toward independent teapot refineries with proceeds going toward weapons programs or terrorist groups as part of this global initiative (Financial Times/Wiki). Whilst financial media outlets such as Financial Times/Wiki Wikipedia offer more details on these allegations of illegal actions undertaken against them by this administration (FT/Wiki).
Trump expressed a willingness to engage in diplomatic talks with Iran but stressed that resistance would result in further sanctions being placed upon Tehran. Beijing criticized these U.S. measures as overreaching and detrimental to global commerce.
As events develop, the international community closely watches Iran to see whether they choose diplomacy or face the consequences of a “maximum pressure” campaign.
