Russia has on Tuesday termed the United States’ move of tightening oil sanctions over Iran as an “aggressive and reckless” American policy, after Washington has announced that it was seeking to put an end to all Iranian crude oil exports.
According to Dawn news reports, the Russian foreign ministry stated the US was not even hiding its desire to make the world bend to its will, labelling the heightened Iran sanctions as “disturbing”.
In an official statement, the foreign ministry stated, “Such a course of action adds nothing to the Americans’ international standing,” adding, “The rest of the world perfectly understands that Washington’s policy is becoming more and more aggressive and reckless.”
In a major bid to reduce Iranian crude oil export to “zero”, the US President Donald Trump has on Monday announced it would end the US sanction waivers that nations like China, South Korea, India and Turkey were enjoying by importing Iranian oil.
Iran has denounced Trump’s decision, on Monday, to end US sanctions waivers for those countries importing Iranian crude oil, stating the sanctions were “principally illegal”.
US’ move targeted Iran’s main economic earning source, adding sanctions pressure over the Islamic Republic that has built under Trump’s presidency, who had in 2015 withdrew itself from the international pact with Iran – Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty – aimed at curbing Iranian nuclear programme.
Russia praised Iran’s “restraint” over “the arrogant American provocations”, calling over parties “with common sense” to do whatever they can in order to ensure accord over Tehran’s nuclear activities.
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.
Also read: Iran denounces US Trump’ decision ending sanctions waivers, terming it ‘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.”
Also read: India ready to deal with impact of US’ decision ending sanctions waivers on Iran’ oil imports: MEA
India has on Tuesday stated the government has underlined the United States decision to end sanction waiver to those nations importing Iranian crude oil and that it is “adequately prepared to deal” with the impact.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has on Monday announced Washington will not issue any fresh US sanction waivers to those nations importing Iranian crude oil, including New Delhi.