Turkey Says Awaiting US Clarification on Waiver for Iran Sanctions
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said on Saturday that Turkey has received initial indications that it will be among eight countries to be granted a waiver from US sanctions against Iran, but is awaiting clarification on Monday.
“Initial information coming in is that Turkey will be amongst eight exempt countries. But we don’t know for sure yet. It will be clear on Monday,” Pekcan told reporters in Ankara, Reuters reported.
An industry source said last month that Turkey had already made efforts to cut its purchases ahead of the US sanctions, but would prefer to keep up some level of Iranian oil imports.
Turkey depends heavily on imports to meet its energy needs and neighboring Iran has been one of its main sources of oil because of its proximity, the quality of its crude and favorable price differentials.
US President Donald Trump announced in May that Washington was pulling out of the nuclear agreement which lifted nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program.
The US administration reintroduced the previous sanctions while imposing new ones on the Islamic Republic. A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector. A second round, forthcoming on November 4, will be targeting Iran’s oil sales and its Central Bank.