President Scorns US Plan for Cutting Iran Oil Exports to Zero
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani slammed as “nonsense” the US decision to drive Iran’s crude exports down to zero, saying it would be impossible to let other regional producers sell oil while blocking Iran’s exports.
“The Americans have claimed to have plans for completely blocking Iran’s oil exports. They do not understand what it means, because it would be totally nonsense that Iran’s oil is not exported while at the same time the region’s oil is exported,” Rouhani said in a gathering of Iranian people residing in Switzerland, held in Bern on Monday night.
He then warned of consequences if the US attempts to implement the plan to deprive Iran of its oil revenues.
The president further said the US sanctions against Iran have in fact affected the people, adding that the embargoes on banking and insurance sectors would mount pressure on the Iranian people.
The comments came after the US administration announced plans to get as many countries as possible down to zero Iranian oil imports and launch a campaign of “maximum economic and diplomatic pressure” on Iran.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said in a tweet, “Just spoke to King Salman of Saudi Arabia and explained to him that, because of the turmoil and disfunction in Iran and Venezuela, I am asking that Saudi Arabia increase oil production, maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels, to make up the difference...Prices to high! He has agreed!”