The sweeping sanctions imposed during Trump’s first term encompassed the entire Iranian economy, and did not let up even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Iran was hit particularly hard. Former US President Joe Biden’s administration also piled on the sanctions,

President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. may try to find another nuclear deal with Iran to avoid military conflict and prevent it from developing a weapon.

As President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Iran, Tehran's foreign ministry announced a willingness to negotiate only the nuclear issue and not its support of terrorism.