Trump: sanctions stay, but Iran may receive funds to rebuild
BY Libyan Express Jun 26, 2025 - 07:05 Trump signals potential easing in Iran oil sanctions enforcement
President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that the United States continues to uphold its maximum pressure campaign on Iran, including restrictions on Iranian oil exports. However, he indicated that enforcement of these measures might be eased to assist Iran's reconstruction efforts.
Speaking at a NATO Summit press conference, Trump noted that Iran would require financial resources to rebuild the country and expressed support for such efforts. When asked about relaxing oil sanctions, he said, 'They're going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen.'
The day before, Trump mentioned that China could continue purchasing Iranian oil following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. The White House later clarified that this statement did not represent a formal easing of US sanctions.
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on several Chinese independent refineries and port operators for their involvement in Iranian oil purchases as part of its ongoing pressure campaign against Tehran. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libyan Express
7 hours ago
- Libyan Express
Libya and China discuss diplomatic training collaboration
BY Libyan Express Jun 26, 2025 - 06:29 Libya's diplomatic institute and China strengthen ties Yesterday, Khaled Abdulsalam Abukhreis, Director of Libya's Diplomatic Studies Institute, hosted the Chargé d'Affaires of the People's Republic of China to Libya for a meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic training and cooperation. During the meeting, the institute outlined its vision and strategic plans to train and develop young diplomats, equipping them to meet the evolving challenges of modern diplomacy. Abukhreis emphasised the vital role of international collaboration in enhancing diplomatic capacities and expressed appreciation for China's ongoing support to Libya. He also highlighted the institute's aim to deepen academic and diplomatic partnerships with relevant Chinese institutions, reflecting a broader commitment to fostering bilateral relations. The Chinese Chargé d'Affaires commended the institute's efforts in building Libya's diplomatic workforce and reaffirmed China's dedication to maintaining and expanding constructive cooperation with Libya across multiple sectors. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
7 hours ago
- Libyan Express
Libya and Turkey sign offshore energy deal
BY Libyan Express Jun 26, 2025 - 06:13 NOC and TPAO ink exploration agreement as tensions rise in eastern Mediterranean Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), paving the way for offshore oil and gas exploration in Libyan waters. The agreement was formalised in Istanbul by NOC Chairman Masoud Suleiman and TPAO Director Ahmet Türkoğlu. According to a statement issued by the NOC, Turkish Petroleum will undertake extensive geological and geophysical studies across four offshore areas deemed to have strong exploration potential. As part of the MoU, a two-dimensional seismic survey will be conducted, covering an estimated 10,000 kilometres. The data collected will then be processed in detail, with the entire programme expected to be completed within nine months. The deal comes at a time of renewed maritime tensions between Libya and Greece. Just days earlier, Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) summoned the Greek ambassador, Nikolaos Garilidis, to protest what it described as Athens' 'unilateral actions' in contested maritime zones. The move followed an announcement by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that naval vessels would be deployed to international waters off the Libyan coast. He described the operation as a 'precautionary measure' aimed at monitoring irregular migration, and claimed it would be carried out 'in coordination with Libyan authorities and other European forces'. 'Smugglers will not dictate who enters our country,' Mitsotakis stated. Both the GNU and Libya's rival eastern-based administration have issued strong objections to Greece's recent international tenders for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete, arguing that parts of the designated areas fall within Libya's undelimited maritime jurisdiction and sovereign rights. The agreement between the NOC and TPAO is likely to add further complexity to already fraught regional maritime relations, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean, where longstanding disputes over energy rights and territorial waters persist. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
7 hours ago
- Libyan Express
US airstrikes set back Iran's nuclear program but don't destroy it
US airstrikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by months, initial US intelligence assessment finds A preliminary assessment by US intelligence indicates that recent American airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have not eliminated the country's nuclear capabilities but have set the program back by a few months. This development coincides with a fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel. On Tuesday, both Iran and Israel indicated a pause in their air conflict following Trump's public reprimand over violations of a ceasefire he announced earlier that day. After 12 days of hostilities — including US attacks on Iran's uranium-enrichment sites — both sides claimed success. Over the weekend, President Trump stated that the deployment of large bunker-buster bombs had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program. However, according to sources familiar with intelligence reports, initial assessments do not fully support this claim. These sources said Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles remain and much of the nuclear infrastructure, which is largely underground, was only partially damaged, resulting in a delay estimated at one or two months. Iran maintains its nuclear work is for civilian energy purposes. The White House dismissed the intelligence report as inaccurate. The Defense Intelligence Agency's evaluation reportedly concluded that while entrances to two nuclear sites were sealed, the underground facilities were not destroyed. Some centrifuges reportedly remained intact following the strikes. In remarks to the United Nations Security Council, the US administration described the strikes as having 'degraded' Iran's nuclear program, falling short of earlier claims of total destruction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks removed the immediate threat of nuclear weapons and vowed to prevent Iran from rebuilding its program. 'We have removed two existential threats: nuclear annihilation and the threat of ballistic missiles,' Netanyahu said. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the ceasefire as a 'great victory' and reportedly told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Tehran was ready to address differences with the US. The conflict began on June 13 with an Israeli surprise airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military commanders. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli military sites and cities. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. By Tuesday evening, Israel lifted military restrictions, and Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv reopened. Iranian airspace was also reported to be reopening. The White House said Trump personally facilitated the ceasefire agreement with Netanyahu and maintained communication with Iranian officials. Both Iran and Israel took several hours to acknowledge the ceasefire and accused each other of violations. Trump criticised both but particularly Israel, urging it to 'calm down now.' Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated Israel would respect the ceasefire unless Iran violated it. Iranian officials made a similar commitment contingent on Israel's compliance. The sustainability of the ceasefire remains uncertain given longstanding tensions. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir described the pause as the end of a 'significant chapter' but said operations against Iranian-backed groups in Gaza would continue. Iran's military warned Israel and the US to learn from the 'crushing blows' it delivered during the conflict. Iranian authorities reported 610 deaths and over 4,700 injuries from Israeli strikes. Iranian missile attacks resulted in 28 deaths in Israel, marking the first significant breach of Israeli air defences. Following the ceasefire, global oil prices fell and stock markets rose, reflecting reduced concerns over supply disruptions from the Gulf region. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump expressed frustration with both sides over ceasefire violations, particularly criticising Israel. Netanyahu's office confirmed an Israeli strike near Tehran in response to Iranian missile launches shortly after the ceasefire was due to start. Iran denied missile launches and accused Israel of continuing attacks beyond the ceasefire deadline. For many Iranians, the end of hostilities brought relief. 'The war is over. It never should have started,' said Reza Sharifi, returning to Tehran.
