Story perspectives

Trump Dismisses Iran Deal, Orders Sanctions, Seeks Hormuz Reopen

5/13/2026

Center

Trump Rejects Iran

President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s peace proposal as ‘garbage’ and said he will ask China to reopen Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on twelve targets in Iran, Hong Kong, UAE and Oman for Iranian oil sales to China.
China’s Ministry of Commerce told firms to ignore sanctions, calling them illegal under 2021 statute.
Officials said President Trump may resume Navy escort missions through Strait of Hormuz after pause.

Left

U.S. Treasury Sanctions

In Shandong’s coastal ports, tiny “teapot” refineries processed Iranian crude as masked guards blocked a CNN crew.
U.S. Treasury sanctioned three senior IRGC oil officials—Ahmad Mohammadi Zadeh, Samad Fathi Salami and Mohammadreza Ashrafi Ghehi—on May 12, 2026.
Sanctions also target Chinese firms importing and refining the oil, notably Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group.
Analysts say independent Chinese refineries now handle 18% of Iran’s seaborne exports, up from 13%.

Blindspot

Center coverage emphasized President Trump’s dismissal of Iran’s peace proposal as “garbage” and his plan to urge China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a political angle not highlighted in Left coverage.
Center coverage also reported China’s Ministry of Commerce declaring the U.S. sanctions illegal under its blocking statute, a response absent from Left coverage.

History

Historical Context

After the 1979 revolution, the United States imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, culminating in the 2015 JCPOA that lifted many restrictions. In May 2018 President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal and re-imposed sanctions, targeting Iranian entities and reviving pressure on Tehran’s oil trade. The move set a precedent for the current effort to sanction Chinese firms linked to Iran’s oil network.

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Trump Rejects Iran

President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s peace proposal as ‘garbage’ and said he will ask China to reopen Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on twelve targets in Iran, Hong Kong, UAE and Oman for Iranian oil sales to China.
China’s Ministry of Commerce told firms to ignore sanctions, calling them illegal under 2021 statute.
Officials said President Trump may resume Navy escort missions through Strait of Hormuz after pause.

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