The US Special Representative for Iran revealed that Washington is seeking a new comprehensive deal with the mullahs that addresses the Islamic Republic’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, regional expansionism and detention of foreign nationals. In an interview with the Saudi-run Al Arabiya television channel, Brian Hook stressed that the White House is “ready to negotiate something like that,” while reiterating to allies and foes alike that “you can either work with the United States or you can work with Iran, but you can’t do both.” He thereafter claimed that US sanctions had already denied the Iranian regime more than $10 billion in revenue, adding he expects the figure to rise dramatically in the coming months. Indeed, Hook’s comments came after the US administration officially announced an end (as of May 2) to waivers granting numerous countries—including China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey, among others—permission to purchase Iranian oil. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who has led the international diplomatic charge against Iran, praised the “very important” American move that will “increase pressure on the Iranian terrorist regime.” For its part, Tehran has repeatedly rejected US overtures to renegotiate the 2015 nuclear accord from which President Donald Trump withdrew almost exactly one year ago. Meanwhile, the US decision prompted oil prices to climb to their highest levels in 2019, even as Washington presses OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to raise output in order to stabilize the market by ensuring it remains “adequately supplied.”
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