According to a report by the Times of Israel on Friday 6 February, 2026, the United States announced a fresh round of sanctions on Iran late Friday, just hours after indirect nuclear talks between the two sides wrapped up in Oman.
According to Washington, the new measures focus squarely on Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, even as officials on both sides hinted that diplomacy is still on the table. In other words, pressure on one track, dialogue on another.
The State Department said the sanctions hit 15 companies and 14 vessels tied to what it calls Iran’s “shadow fleet.” These ships, US officials argue, are used to quietly move oil, fuel and petrochemical products around the world in defiance of existing restrictions. Reuters first reported the details.
The move fits into the Trump administration’s revived maximum-pressure strategy against Tehran. Officials say the goal is to squeeze off revenue streams they believe are used to fund internal repression and Iran’s activities across the region.
At a briefing, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said President Donald Trump remains focused on curbing Iran’s energy exports as part of that campaign. He accused Tehran of choosing confrontation and control over investing in its own population and infrastructure, warning that the US would continue to respond as long as Iran tries to bypass sanctions.
The sanctions landed shortly after negotiators from Iran and the United States concluded a day of indirect discussions in Muscat, with Oman acting as the intermediary. Iranian officials described the talks as constructive, even if cautious.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck a measured tone afterward, suggesting the meeting could open the door to progress if both sides stay on the same path. He indicated that messages, concerns and positions were exchanged in what he described as a generally positive atmosphere, and said further talks would follow after consultations in Tehran and Washington.
Oman’s foreign ministry confirmed that its top diplomat, Badr al-Busaidi, met separately with Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. State media footage later showed US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads US Central Command, also present in Muscat.
These talks mark the first formal engagement since a sharp escalation last June, when the United States joined Israel in military action against Iran. US strikes damaged Iranian nuclear sites, while Israel targeted air defence systems and ballistic missile facilities. Since then, Washington has reinforced its regional military posture, sending in more warships, fighter jets and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
American officials have made clear they want any future agreement to address more than just Iran’s nuclear programme. Missile development and Tehran’s regional influence are also on their list. Iran, for its part, has pushed back, insisting the discussions stay narrowly focused.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged earlier this week that the path ahead would be difficult, saying, “I’m not sure you can reach a deal with these guys, but we’re going to try to find out.”
Tensions on the ground haven’t eased. The US recently downed an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, while Iran has attempted to intercept a US-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Against that backdrop, Friday’s sanctions echo similar steps taken last month, when Washington targeted ships accused of moving hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil.
The Treasury Department maintains that Iran’s shadow fleet remains central to financing the government, including its domestic crackdowns and activities beyond its borders.
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