US warns India, other nations over Iranian oil imports


Washington, Apr 22 (IANS): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will announce on Monday that all countries including India will have to completely end their imports of Iranian oil or be subject to American sanctions, The Washington Post reported.

State Department officials told The Post on Sunday that as of May 2, the US will no longer grant sanctions waivers to any country that is currently importing Iranian crude or condensate, an announcement that comes about a year after the US decided to leave the Iran nuclear deal.

Last November, the State Department issued 180-day waivers to eight countries to give them more time to find alternative sources of oil.

Three of the eight countries that received US waivers last November have already reduced their Iranian oil imports to zero: Greece, Italy and Taiwan.

The other countries that will now have to cut off Iranian oil imports or be subject to US sanctions are India, China, Turkey, Japan and South Korea.

China and India are currently the largest importers of Iranian oil. If they don't go along with President Donald Trump's demands, that could cause tensions in both bilateral relationships and spill over into other issues, like trade.

South Korea and Japan are relatively less dependent on Iranian oil and have already been treading lightly. A Turkish official has said the country is "expecting" another waiver, but it isn't getting one.

"The policy of zero Iranian imports originated with Secretary Pompeo," a senior State Department official said.

"He has executed this policy in tight coordination with the president every step of the way. Because the conditions to not grant any more SREs (significant reduction exceptions) have now been met, we can now announce zero imports."

Trump has said he wants the Iranian regime to return to the negotiating table and strike a better deal than the one former President Barack Obama signed.

The Iranian regime has said it has no intention of doing that. Either way, the administration's ramping up of its "maximum pressure" campaign is meant to starve the regime of the cash it needs to perpetrate its malign activities around the world.

"The goal of the policy is to drive up the costs of Iran's malign behaviour and more strongly address the broad range of threats to peace and security their regime presents," the State Department official told The Post on Sunday.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Azeez Vittal, Dubai

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    Its definitlely going to hurt our economy.The U.S sanction is something that a country like India can never avoid, hence our govt will be helpless as they have to go with it.The last agreement with US Govt was to reduce the import upto 50%.The Imports from Iran is cheaper comparing to other Oil exporting countries, it was helping our fiscal deficit. Since the saction is seriously imposed then India has to look for alternatives.If Import of Petrol becomes costlier, definitly its going to depreciate our rupee resulting inflation in the country.The expats who send money back home can enjoy higher exchange rate.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • NN, NN

    Wed, Apr 24 2019

    Well said Azeez. It is time for NRI depositor to convert their money from NRE rupee to US Dollar and put it in CD even the interest rate is lower for dollar deposit than the rupee deposit. If rupee depreciate due to increase in oil price, at least the investment in dollars will be safe. What if the rupee goes to Rs.125 per dollar. Historically, rupee always depreciated against dollar. It will certainly depreciate looking at the current bad debts of financial institutions in India.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    Now Modi's turn to impose sanctions /embargo on U.S. or make a trip to U.S. to negotiate some terms & conditions ! (mutually beneficial)

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    Our Chowkidar will give 'Muh Tod Jawab' ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Moshu, mangaluru

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    This is nothing but a threat and a kind of state terrorism. USA and its partner occupied state Jews, Russia are all opportunists wants to rule the globe by force. They never gonna be a eternal friendly state but only a seasonal as long as become their puppets.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • SmR, Karkala

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    No matter India exports oil from Iran or Saudi, the benefit of low oil prices should reach to common citizens of India.
    We the Indian's pay one of the highest prices per liter in entire South East Asia under Prime Minister Modi regime.
    At the same time, RTI reply says Modi government exports petrol at half the price we pay. RTI reply on exports claims that India is exporting refined petrol to 15 nations at Rs 34 per liter while refined diesel is exported to 29 countries at Rs 37 per liter as per the information provided.

    1. Why we Indian pay more when the entire South East Asia is selling less than us?
    2. Where is the Rs 11 lakh crores collected from petroleum taxes have gone when government seeking deficit of budget from RBI to fulfill?
    3. Why LIC needs to save the loss-making banks from peoples retired funds when the government has excessive tax collection from the fuel taxes?
    4. Why government is not reluctant to reduce aviation turbine fuel and saved Jet Airways from closer?
    Jai Hind

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    Modi knows who is powerful (financially) now. Saudi Arabia or Iran?
    If going against Americas wish/instruction would cost India dearly in many ways and this is not the time to gamble with USA's determination also, need to realize that Prince Salman has promised a chunk of investment to the tune of Dollars 100 Billion which is very helpful in view of India's future development plans. Nevertheless, most of the GCC countries are just following or supporting Saudi Arabia in their decision against Iran.
    Our Super boss will have to think hundred times how to maintain good relation with USA as well as the Arab world.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Abhijit, M'lore

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    But we cant ignore Iran which is our strategic partner in many ways. We have already invested in Chabbar port which is in Iran. If we close the ties with Iran it would be difficult to conduct trade with Afghanistan which is very crucial to counter the Pakistan influence in Afghanistan. It is not as easy as you say.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajkumar, Kalladka

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    If the US tries to stop India from importing Iranian Oil, Modiji will impose sanctions on US.

    Trumph can't blackmail India. Chowkidar is standing firm like a rock. Pompeo has to withdraw his statement, no choice.

    DisAgree [18] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed K.C., Mangalore

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    What will America do if don't stop import from Iran ????
    Kisme Hain Dum ?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Puttappa, Davangere

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    If imported from iran...shias's will become rich and same money will divert to syrian border for hizbool mujhadeen to fight against ISIS. It's nothing but Big Boss following sunni dominated saudi arabia to issue such statements. If iran will have much money they also going to invest in backyard of saudi arabia for Houthis who based in yeman.
    For that reason wants to invest in india 25% stake in reliance. Sunni-shia enmity is of long.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chris, Tel Aviv

    Mon, Apr 22 2019

    Not Iran , stop Saudi from exporting oil , along with oil they are also exporting funds to terrorists organization across the world .

    DisAgree [15] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse


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