Iran Press / Iran News: US has announced on Monday that it ended what it describes as sanctions waivers for countries who import Iranian crude oil, stating that those who continue to do so will be subject to American unilateral sanctions.
According to Iran Press, the Trump administration on Monday told five countries: Japan, South Korea, Turkey, China and India, that they will no longer be exempt from US sanctions if they continue to import oil from Iran after their waivers end on May 2.
In reaction to US announcement, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said that Iran considers the whole US illegal sanctions and their waivers as worthless.
“Given the fact that the sanctions are in principle illegal, the Islamic Republic of Iran basically considers the granted waivers for sanctions as worthless,” Mousavi said.
The spokesman also said that given the negative effects of the sanctions, which are likely to increase after the waivers are not extended, Iran is in contact with the related apparatuses inside the country and has had intensive consultations with foreign partners, including European, international and neighboring partners on that issue.
Mousavi added that required decisions in that regard will be announced soon.
After the announcement, oil hits nearly 6-month highs and countries which enjoyed the waiver criticized the decision made by US administration.
China, one of Iran's biggest oil export markets, on Monday criticized Washington's decision to tell Beijing and other governments to stop buying Iranian oil. Turkey also criticized the decision as unhelpful to peace and stability of region.
Washington reinstated a series of unilateral sanctions against Iran in early August and re-impose a second batch in November which as Trump said the goal was to bring Iranian oil export to zero.
Earlier on October 14, Referring to US claim that it can reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, Eshagh Jahangiri, Iran's first vice president emphasized the impossibility of the task, saying Washington will fail in its bid. 212/ 105
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