Trump signals US may ease Iran oil sanction enforcement to help rebuild country
Jun 26, 2025 03:28 AM IST
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US has not given up its maximum pressure on Iran - including restrictions on sales of Iranian oil - but signaled a potential easing in enforcement to help the country rebuild. US President Donald Trump reacts during a press conference at a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025.(Reuters)
"They're going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen," Trump said at a news conference at the NATO Summit when asked if he was easing oil sanctions on Iran.
Trump said a day earlier that China can continue to purchase Iranian oil after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, but the White House later clarified that his comments did not indicate a relaxation of US sanctions.
Trump imposed waves of Iran-related sanctions on several of China's independent "teapot" refineries and port terminal operators for purchases of Iranian oil.
Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, told CNBC that Trump's comment on China's ability to buy Iranian oil "was a signal to the Chinese that we want to work with you, that we're not interested in hurting your economy." China is the top buyer of Iranian crude and has long opposed Trump's sanctions on the oil.
"We're interested in working together with you in unison, and hopefully that becomes a signal to the Iranians," Witkoff said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
16 minutes ago
- Indian Express
What happened when missiles rained down in Israel: An account from Indians working there
On June 13, when Israel attacked Iran, the Indian embassy in Israel informed its citizens, many of them workers, on how to respond in case of an attack. 'If we were on the road, we had to lie down with both arms on the head; if we were on a bus, we had to stop and rush to the nearest bunker; and if we were at work, we had to rush to the basement,' said Basav Ram, a 30-year-old construction worker from Haryana's Jind. 'In our initial months, the Iron Dome (Israeli interceptor) was a wonder to us. We would gaze at the interceptions, but this time, it was a whole new ball game.' Ram, since he landed in Israel's Tel Aviv and moved to Netanya in April 2024, has seen the two countries attack each other over four times. However, this time, the attacks were more intense, he said. Around 6 am on June 13, his phone rang, warning him of an attack. 'First, we got a warning message, then an alarm rang, then a red alarm activated, which shut the phone off except for the blaring sound. The sirens from speakers outside accompanied this. We rushed to the bunker outside our building. Once inside, we were safe. Had buildings fallen on top of it, it would still not have collapsed,' he said. Ram rushed to such bunkers twenty times in the '12-day war', as US President Donald Trump calls it. From June 13 to 23, when a ceasefire was announced, Iran's ballistic missile attacks claimed 28 lives in Israel while Israel killed over 600 Iranians, including their top military brass. The Indian citizens in Israel include thousands employed by various companies through India's National Skill Development Corporation after it received a demand for 10,000 construction workers from Israel's Population and Immigration Authority for four roles — formwork, iron bending, plastering and ceramic tiling in November 2023, a month after Israel's attack on Gaza began. The NSDC has sent workers from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana so far under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement. Ram said he wanted to go home, but the embassy did not order an evacuation. 'I could not go individually because I could not get a vacation and was unsure of whether I would get a visa to re-enter if I left. Many of us from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana were discussing this. Everyone was scared, but we were more scared to go. The contract was for five years, and we want to make a name for ourselves. We came with a dream, and I could not go before it was fulfilled,' Ram said. 'I was constantly thinking of my family when explosions were ringing out around us. Ghar, galiyaan, gaon, sab yaad aayi.' Whenever his employer gave them a day off, the message came with a sense of foreboding. 'It was an omen that the day ahead would see attacks. The defence system intercepted all the missiles, but the explosions left us terrified. When my mother called worried, I would tell her the visuals broadcast by Indian media were fake,' he said. Ram said he will go home for a month this year and hopes to get married before returning. 'After the contract ends, I will go back and give the CET (common eligibility test for group C jobs). With a job at home, things will be immensely better. By then, I would have saved enough to sustain my family till I secure a posting,' he said. Currently, he earns around Rs 1.2 lakh a month, of which around 1 lakh is sent home every month. 'I can't leave my parents to poverty at this age,' Ram said. Gurdeep from Haryana, who lives in Lod, 15 km away from Jerusalem, said the surveillance during the war was scaled up. 'A few Indian labourers posted videos of the attack on social media. Soon, the embassy informed us not to take videos. They said action will be initiated against us. Every conversation and message is documented, even this call over WhatsApp,' he claimed. Gurdeep had left Jind for a construction job, which was terminated after three months. 'I was moved to the bakery by the same contractor, so the agreement remained the same,' he said. While the war waged, Gurdeep could not get a day off. 'If the siren went off, we would rush to the bunker under the bakery,' he said. His day shift is from 6 am to 6 pm, while the night shift is from 6 pm to 6 am, which he alternates between every week. 'When the sight of a truce was not near, I made sure my wife knew nothing about the attacks. I told my brothers to keep her away from the news,' he said. The last attacks in 2024 had left the family petrified, he said. Another labourer, on condition of anonymity, claimed they have been asked not to respond to posts of Palestinians on social media. 'We cannot be seen sharing or even interacting with content on Gaza. We rarely see any posts, and if we do, we have to ignore them. The embassy has also warned us of this,' he claimed. Shankar Dayal, who went to Israel in June 2024, said that although he was selected for tiling work at a construction site, he was placed on a road brick-laying stint. 'Several people have to leave because of this, and I have been shuttling between different jobs ever since,' he said. Dayal said long hours and heavy labour made him reconsider his decision. 'I want to go back to India. Jhagda chal raha hai yahan baar baar. Sabko jaan pyaari hai. If I had a better job, I would have been able to endure it better,' he said. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
Why Zelenskyy's clothes have become talking point again... this time at Nato Summit
At the just-concluded Nato Summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared more formally dressed than usual since the war with Russia began in early 2022. He swapped his typical military-style outfit for a blazer with a military touch, dress trousers, and a shirt. Back in February, the Ukrainian leader's decision not to wear a suit during a meeting with Donald Trump created a furore read more Zelenskyy set aside his usual military-style clothing for a blazer with a military feel, dress trousers and a shirt, though he skipped the tie. Reuters 'Why don't you wear a suit?' That was the question Volodymyr Zelenskyy faced at the White House a few months ago. This time, at the Nato summit in The Hague, the Ukrainian president appeared in a solid black jacket and shirt, similar to a suit. Notably, Zelenskyy was not part of the main Nato discussions but did have a separate meeting with Trump , where they discussed a list of weapons Ukraine hopes to buy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier, the attention on Zelenskyy's choice of clothes at the White House drew sharp criticism from Ukrainians, most of whom have supported him since Russia's invasion in February 2022. But why were his clothes such a big talking point both before and during the recent Nato summit? And why doesn't he wear a suit? Let's take a look: Why Zelenskyy's outfit became the talking point at Nato summit At the recent Nato summit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy appeared more formally dressed than he has been since the war with Russia began in early 2022. He set aside his usual military-style clothing for a blazer with a military feel, dress trousers and a shirt, though he skipped the tie. This subtle change caused buzz online and was picked up by the Ukrainian edition of ELLE Magazine, which on Wednesday called it 'visual diplomacy of a new kind'. This was Zelenskyy's first time wearing a suit at a Nato summit. Reuters But caused him to change? One reason could be the weight given to this year's Nato summit. Many media outlets described it as one of the most meaningful meetings in the alliance's 76-year history. Key topics included defence budgets, Russia, and how committed Donald Trump remains to Europe's security, issues that, according to Euronews, made some delegates cautious about displeasing the unpredictable US president. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This was Zelenskyy's first time wearing a suit at a Nato summit, though not the first time since the war began. Earlier in the week, he wore a suit jacket during his meeting in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where they discussed defence ties and plans for joint drone production. What happened at White House months ago? Back in February, during a meeting with Donald Trump, the Ukrainian leader was questioned by a reporter about his choice of clothing. 'Why don't you wear a suit?' asked Brian Glenn from Real America's Voice. 'You're at the highest level in this country's office, and you refuse to wear a suit.' He didn't stop there. 'Do you own a suit?' Glenn went on, adding, 'A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office.' Zelenskyy responded briefly: 'I will wear costume after this war will finish.' The word 'costume' translates from kostyum, the Ukrainian term for a suit. He then made a light jab at the reporter. 'Maybe something like yours, yes. Maybe something better, I don't know,' he said, drawing laughter from those present. 'Maybe something cheaper.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After the exchange in the Oval Office, Glenn posted online, saying he had 'extreme empathy for the people of Ukraine' but claimed Zelenskyy's lack of formal dress showed 'his inner disrespect' towards the US. The reporter who asked Zelensky if he owned a suit, Brian Glenn, is from the pro-Trump network Real America's Voice and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's boyfriend. He got one of the rare Oval Office interviewer spots after the White House blocked the Associated Press — Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) February 28, 2025 Supporters of the Ukrainian leader soon responded by sharing wartime photos of Winston Churchill in casual attire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not long after the clash, Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House, as ties between the two countries hit a rough patch. However, this week's meeting between the two leaders appeared far more positive. Zelenskyy also thanked Trump and the US, and spoke of his hopes for 'real peace' between Ukraine and Russia. US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting in The Hague, Netherlands. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters 'I had a long and substantive meeting with President Trump. We covered all the truly important issues,' Zelenskyy wrote on social media. 'I thank Mr President, I thank the United States. We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people.' Why Zelenskyy doesn't wear a suit Zelenskyy's clothing choice is meant to reflect his role as Ukraine's commander-in-chief and a visible gesture of unity with the country's armed forces. Elvira Gasanova, the designer behind the Damirli brand, often seen on Zelenskyy, told Politico, 'When world leaders see Zelenskyy in military style, it is a signal — 'Ukraine is at war and I am part of this fight'.' She said that his look is a commitment, even when meeting someone like Trump. It shows support for both civilians and soldiers caught in the war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In times of peace, suits are usually a symbol of diplomacy, routine meetings, and political normalcy. But Ukraine, Gasanova said, is still in crisis. 'The president shows that the war is still going on, that the country is still in a struggle,' she said. His decision to stick with his wartime outfit during the White House visit received strong backing at home, according to The Kyiv Independent. Military attire also carries a deeper meaning. As Euronews reported, uniforms are often linked to strength and leadership. Worn by generals, war veterans and statesmen, they can convey a sense of credibility and authority.
Mint
23 minutes ago
- Mint
NATO defence budget hike: HAL, BEL, BDL, Paras Defence, Ideaforge, others to benefit. How many of these you own?
Defence stocks rallied on Thursday buoyed by expectations of increased export orders after NATO leaders pledged to scale up defence spending. Data Patterns (India), Astra Microwave Products, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL), Zen Technologies, among other defence stocks rallied up to 4%. The upbeat sentiment in defence stocks lifted the Nifty India Defence index by nearly 1.5%, with most of its constituents trading in the green. The surge in sentiment follows the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) leaders' declaration at the Hague Summit, where member states reaffirmed their 'ironclad commitment' to collective defence. They pledged to invest up to 5% of their GDP annually in defence and security-related sectors by 2035. This includes a minimum of 3.5% allocated to core defence capabilities and up to 1.5% for the protection of critical infrastructure. Analysts believe the development could open up significant export opportunities for Indian defence manufacturers. 'If NATO members indeed raise defence spending to 5% of GDP—a substantial increase from current levels—it could significantly reshape global defence procurement dynamics. For India, which is rapidly expanding its defence manufacturing and exports, this shift presents both commercial opportunities and strategic implications,' said Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst at Mehta Equities Ltd. 'India, with its lower production costs and improving indigenous capabilities, could emerge as an attractive secondary supplier for NATO countries,' he added. Echoing similar views, Krishna Doshi, Research Analyst at Ashika Institutional Equities, said the move opens up substantial export opportunities for Indian defence companies. 'Indian firms already supply a wide range of products including arms, ammunition, fuses, complete weapon systems like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, artillery guns, Dornier-228 aircraft, radars, Akash air defence systems, Pinaka rockets, armoured vehicles, as well as protective equipment and uniforms.' Among NATO's 32 member nations, the United States and France are already significant markets for Indian defence exports, she noted. 'Moreover, the Indian government's policy push to promote indigenous defence systems and its ambitious goal of achieving ₹ 50,000 crore in defence exports by FY29 further strengthens the sector's outlook,' Doshi said. Bhavika Joshi, Business Head, INVasset PMS believes that as Western OEMs face capacity constraints, India's defence industry is emerging as a credible and cost-effective partner to plug these gaps. 'From radars and electronics to artillery and ammunition, Indian companies are now part of global defence supply chains. Bharat Forge recently exported 100 155 mm artillery guns to a European country and signed an LOI to supply howitzers to the US Army — milestones that mark India's entry into NATO-aligned heavy weapons markets,' said Joshi. BEL, through its JV with Thales, is supplying components for Rafale radars used in Europe, while Solar Industries is reportedly in talks to supply Pinaka rockets to France amidst ammunition shortages, Joshi added. Tapse identified potential beneficiaries among Indian defence stocks, including Bharat Electronics (BEL) — which specialises in radar systems, communications, and electronic warfare — along with HAL, Bharat Dynamics (BDL), and Data Patterns (India), a niche player in defence electronics and embedded systems. Doshi pointed to Data Patterns India, Zen Technologies, Paras Defence & Space Technologies, Astra Microwave Products, Ideaforge Technology, HAL, BEL and Bharat Dynamics as key stocks that may benefit from the rising global defence expenditure. 'Further, given the prevailing geopolitical tensions, increased defence spending, and the government's emphasis on indigenization and exports, the overall outlook on the defence sector remains positive,' she said. According to Joshi, what's unfolding is a medium-term export supercycle for Indian defence firms—across public and private sectors, and across market caps. 'HAL, BEL, BDL, and Mishra Dhatu Nigam are backed by government credibility and global tie-ups, while private players like Bharat Forge, Solar, Data Patterns, and Dynamatic are showing product readiness and delivery capacity. Many already supply to NATO-aligned primes like Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin,' Joshi said. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
