Pompeo: The U.S. is helping other countries to replace Iranian oil

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday, September 6, that Washington may grant exceptions for some buyers of Iranian oil, including India, but these countries must gradually stop importing oil from Iran after the onset of oil sanctions. Pompeo, who was in New Delhi for discussions with his Indian counterparts alongside Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, told reporters: "For some buyers of Iranian oil, stopping imports from that country will take some time." After withdrawing from the JCPOA on May 8 and resuming nuclear sanctions against Tehran, the U.S. government has pressured all countries to stop importing oil from Iran. The first wave of U.S. sanctions went into effect in mid-August, and the second wave, which includes the oil and energy sector, will take effect in mid-November. President Donald Trump has warned that any country that trades with Iran will not be able to do business with the United States. Pompeo stated: "We will consider exceptions in necessary cases, but our expectation is that purchases of oil from Iran will reach zero; otherwise, they will face the consequences of sanctions. Therefore, we will work with India; we are committed to doing this." Despite the actions of the Trump administration, India, which is the third-largest oil importer in the world and the second-largest buyer of Iranian oil after China, says that replacing all oil imports from Iran will be difficult. Pompeo added: "Some countries are in a position where stopping oil imports from Iran will take them some time, and we will work with them, and I am confident we will reach a satisfactory outcome." He further stated that the U.S. would be pleased to replace Iranian oil with its own. India's oil imports from Iran decreased by one-third in August this year as state refineries awaited the government's decision regarding oil purchases and the use of Iranian tankers and insurance. As a sign of India's willingness to continue buying Iranian oil, Reuters reported a few days ago that the Indian government has allowed state refineries to use Iranian tankers and insurance coverage. Following the reduction in the activities of Western and Indian shipping companies in transferring Iranian oil ahead of the second wave of sanctions, Tehran has offered long-term credits and free oil transfers to attract Indian customers and maintain its oil revenue. Pompeo added: "Our ultimate mission is to prevent Iran from using revenue it earns from other countries for harmful actions, and that is the purpose of the sanctions."