Brian Hook: We Do Not Intend to Grant New Oil Sanction Exemptions for Iran

Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, stated that the oil sanctions against Iran have been successful. He mentioned that a final decision regarding the eight countries whose temporary exemptions are soon to expire will be announced later. Simultaneously, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry accused Hook of 'Iranophobia.' In an interview aired on Wednesday, April 7, on the English section of Voice of America, Hook emphasized that U.S. policy is not to grant any new oil exemptions from sanctions on Iran. However, regarding the continuation or non-continuation of current exemptions, he said: 'We are not saying anything right now, and the final decision will be made by Secretary of State Pompeo in consultation with President Trump.' Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the re-imposition of all sanctions against Iran, U.S. officials announced last November that they would give eight countries that purchase Iranian oil about six months to gradually reduce their purchases to zero. These eight countries include China, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy, and Greece, and their six-month deadline will end in mid-May. Hook noted that granting exemptions to these eight countries was necessary to 'avoid a shock to the global market and a sudden rise in oil prices' and stated that 'removing about one and a half million barrels of Iranian oil was done well and carefully.' He also mentioned that '2019 will be much better for the global oil market, and forecasts indicate that supply will exceed demand.' This U.S. official assessed the performance of the Trump administration in enforcing oil sanctions against Iran over the past few months as successful, stating: 'So far, we have removed more than half of Iran's oil exports from the global market in just a few months.' Hook pointed out that the Obama administration 'granted exemptions to 20 countries over three years,' whereas 'today, 23 countries have reduced their purchases of Iranian oil to zero.' Reports have previously indicated that some of these countries, particularly India and South Korea, are trying to persuade U.S. officials to extend their exemptions. On the other hand, Reuters reported, citing some oil sources, that the U.S. intends to reduce the exemptions and further cut Iran's oil exports by 20 percent, bringing them below one million barrels per day. Bahram Qasemi: 'Brian Hook is afflicted with Iranophobia.' In response to Hook's statements, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, labeled him as 'afflicted with chronic Iranophobia.' According to IRNA, the spokesperson described Hook's remarks as 'silly and foolish' and stated: 'This American official should take a look at international developments and what is happening in the world today to clearly understand that regional and global developments are not moving in the direction that he and the current rulers of the White House desire.' Qasemi also accused Hook and the U.S. government of 'inhumane crimes' and 'malicious actions' against Iran, stating that they must answer for 'the damages inflicted on the proud nation of Iran.' In response to a question from Voice of America regarding how sanctions affect the lives of ordinary Iranians and could provoke their anger, Hook said: 'I hear this question a lot from the media, but I have not heard it from the people of Iran so far.' Hook pointed out that 'the people of Iran know who to blame for their economic problems: President Rouhani,' stating that when he took office six years ago, 'inflation was at 39 percent, and he promised better conditions; now the people of Iran see that inflation has increased even more.' Hook reiterated that the Iranian authorities have 'destroyed Iran's economy and devastated the environment, solely because they are more concerned about their revolution abroad than thinking about their own people.' Regarding the residency of relatives of Iranian officials in the U.S., Hook addressed the numerous requests to revoke the residency of some relatives of Iranian officials in America, stating that this matter is under review. Several opponents of the Iranian government, especially in recent months, have initiated legal efforts by compiling a list of relatives of Iranian officials residing in the U.S. Some congressional representatives have also reported on their proposed plans regarding this issue, particularly focusing on punishing the Iranian government 'for its hostage-taking.' In his interview with Voice of America, Hook only mentioned that 'we have heard the concerns regarding this and are reviewing it. That is all I can say for now.' However, regarding the visas of ordinary Iranian citizens, Hook stated that visa restrictions for Iranian applicants are 'due to the lack of diplomatic relations and Tehran's failure to cooperate in exchanging information.' He also mentioned that efforts are being made to make exceptions for students, stating that the primary priority is to protect the lives of American citizens and that 'the Iranian government is among the top supporters of global terrorism, which impacts our visa policies, even for students.'