Iran has denounced United States President Donald Trump’s decision, on Monday, to end US sanctions waivers for those countries importing Iranian crude oil, stating the sanctions were “principally illegal”.
In an official statement which was issued on Iranian foreign ministry’s official website, it cited: “Since the sanction in question are principally illegal, the Islamic Republic of Iran did not and does not attach any value or credibility to the waivers given to the sanctions.”
According to ANI news reports, the US state department had in November issued the 180-day sanctions waivers to some eight nations importing Iranian crude oil in order to provide them additional time to pave alternative sources of purchasing oil.
Three nations out of those eight – Greece, Taiwan, and Italy – which had received US sanctions waivers, have already ceased importing Iranian crude oil. And, the others will now need to cut short its oil imports from Iran or be subjected to the US sanctions are South Korea, China, Turkey, India, and Japan.
However, China raised voices and opposed the unilateral sanctions against Iran, stating its Iranian bilateral cooperation was in line with the laws, while India refrained itself from offering any statement.
In fact, Turkey has also rebuffed US sanctions, saying the recently imposed sanctions will “harm the Iranian people” as well not “serve regional peace and stability”.
Currently, India and China are the major buyers of Iranian crude oil, and if both nations fail to obey the US president’s demand, then it may cause disturbances in bilateral ties. Japan and South Korea have started being less dependent on Iranian oil imports and have begun treading lightly.
The measures were made after Trump, last Thursday, held discussions with the UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, which are expected to bring implications ove the oil market.
A senior US state department official was quoted as saying, “The policy of zero Iranian imports originated with Secretary Pompeo.”
The official added, “He has executed this policy in tight coordination with the president every step of the way. Because the conditions to not grant any more significant reduction exceptions (SREs) have now been met, we can now announce zero imports.”
Trump has said he was seeking Iran to come back to the negotiation table and ink a better deal than what was signed with ex-President Barack Obama. However, Iran has reiterated its refusal to Trump’s demand, stating it has no intentions of doing so.