WANA (May 22) – As the fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States is set to begin tomorrow, the U.S. State Department has announced new sanctions targeting Iran’s construction sector.

 

According to the statement, individuals or entities that provide certain specific construction materials to Iran will now be subject to new U.S. sanctions.

 

The Trump administration imposed these measures as part of its “maximum pressure” policy against the Islamic Republic, claiming that such materials are used in Iran’s nuclear, missile, and military programs.

 

In its official statement, the U.S. State Department alleged that Iran’s construction sector is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and on that basis, ten new strategic materials have been added to the sanctions list.

 

The State Department emphasized that “with these measures, the United States expands its sanctions authority to prevent Iran from acquiring strategic materials used in IRGC-controlled construction projects and its proliferation-related programs.”

 

What Are the Newly Sanctioned Materials?

The newly sanctioned items include austenitic nickel-chromium alloy, magnesium ingots, sodium perchlorate, copper-tungsten alloy, and certain specialized aluminum plates and tubes.

 

So far, four rounds of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States have taken place. Iran has entered this new round of talks cautiously, while firmly maintaining its core positions.

 

Tehran has stressed that the goal of these negotiations must be the complete lifting of sanctions and the guarantee of national interests. It has also made clear that it will never relinquish its right to enrich uranium.

 

Oman has hosted the first, third, and fourth rounds of these talks, while Rome, the capital of Italy, has hosted one round so far.