Trump Issues Order to Resume 'Maximum Pressure' on the Islamic Republic

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, on Tuesday, February 5, signed an order to resume the maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. The goal of this action is to block all avenues for the Iranian government to acquire nuclear weapons. Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. Treasury Secretary to resume 'economic maximum pressure' against the Islamic Republic. 'Implementation of sanctions' and 'enforcement mechanisms against violators of existing sanctions' are part of this executive order. As part of this action, the Trump administration will launch a campaign 'aimed at reducing Iran's oil exports to zero.' Simultaneously, the U.S. mission to the United Nations will also collaborate with America's main allies 'to complete the process of the immediate return of sanctions and international restrictions' against the Islamic Republic. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, recently mentioned the 'maximum pressure campaign' against the Islamic Republic of Iran in an interview with Fox News. Marco Rubio stated that Washington's goal in applying more pressure on the Islamic Republic is to stop its activities aimed at 'acquiring nuclear weapons.' He did not specifically use the term maximum pressure in that interview. The Islamic Republic, which has always claimed that its nuclear activities are peaceful, has threatened in recent months, especially after suffering heavy blows from Israel and proving the ineffectiveness of its missile attacks on Israel, that it may change its 'nuclear doctrine,' which is seen as a threat regarding the construction of nuclear weapons. On the other hand, it is expected that Donald Trump will discuss Iran during his meeting on February 5 with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, at the White House. Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, warned in an interview with Al Jazeera that if there is an attack on nuclear facilities in Iran, the Islamic Republic will respond immediately and decisively, and such an action would lead to 'all-out war in the region.' Abbas Araghchi also called a potential attack by Israel and the U.S. on Iran's nuclear facilities 'one of the biggest historical mistakes of America.' Meanwhile, a spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu stated in an interview with the Jerusalem Post that Israel would act against the Islamic Republic if necessary without U.S. approval. According to the American newspaper Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has asked U.S. congressional leaders to approve the transfer of about one billion dollars in bombs, munitions, and other military equipment to Israel. The planned sale to Israel includes 4,700 1,000-pound bombs worth over 700 million dollars and armored bulldozers made by Caterpillar worth over 300 million dollars. Trump also separately lifted the suspension on the delivery of 2,000-pound American bombs to Israel. Donald Trump had previously stated that 'if issues with the Islamic Republic can be resolved without Israel targeting military facilities, that would be good.' The New York Times: The Islamic Republic is seeking to 'rapidly build' nuclear weapons. The White House to Voice of America: With Trump's order, 'maximum pressure' on the Islamic Republic returns. Trump and Netanyahu discuss 'ways to confront the Iranian regime.' Rubio's view on the return of the 'maximum pressure campaign' against the Islamic Republic. The U.S.: We are aware of reports of the shipment of missile propellant chemicals from China to Iran.