President Trump restored a maximum-pressure sanctions campaign against Iran on February 4, 2025. The White House, Reuters, and Fox News all reported the shift and tied it to Trump's first-term Iran policy.

Coverage across the spectrum agreed that the campaign aimed to squeeze Iran's economy, oil sales, and regional network while increasing U.S. leverage in any future talks. The announcement signaled that the administration was returning to coercion before offering concessions.

Fox News emphasized pressure and deterrence, while Reuters focused more on the question of whether sanctions alone could produce a durable diplomatic outcome.