Reuters: U.S. Secretary's Negotiation with Russian and Saudi Counterparts Ahead of Iran Sanctions

As the United States plans to reinstate oil sanctions against Iran in two months, Reuters reports that U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry will discuss with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Russia. On September 10, Reuters cited 'informed sources' stating that Perry will meet with Saudi Oil Minister Khalid Al-Falih in Washington and with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in Moscow. These negotiations come as Donald Trump and his administration are working to increase oil production by exporters to prevent fuel shortages and rising prices. According to an American official, Perry and Al-Falih, along with several other senior officials from Riyadh, are scheduled to meet on Monday morning, Washington time, in the U.S. capital. Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, is a regional rival of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the largest oil exporter in the world. Perry will then hold talks with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Thursday. According to CitiGroup statistics from last spring, Russia exports 7.4 million barrels of oil, while the United States itself exports more than 8 million barrels daily. Reuters notes that high oil prices pose a political challenge for Donald Trump and the Republican Party ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The midterm elections will be held in November, with 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats up for grabs. Currently, there is competition between Democrats and Republicans, with Democrats trying to gain at least part of the majority in Congress that currently favors Republicans. In recent weeks, oil prices have risen to over $76 amid market concerns about a reduction or halt in Iranian oil exports. The Trump administration has withdrawn from the nuclear agreement with Iran, which was established during Barack Obama's presidency among the U.S., Tehran, Russia, France, China, the UK, and Germany. Trump claims this agreement is one of the 'worst deals' he has seen and does not ensure U.S. security. The current U.S. government seeks to revive new negotiations with Iran covering a range of issues from Tehran's regional activities to its nuclear and missile programs. Iranian officials have rejected the accusations from Washington, including interference in regional affairs, and following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, they claim there is no guarantee of the usefulness or durability of negotiations with U.S. officials. Trump: Iran has no choice but to negotiate for a new agreement. Khamenei's call for increased cooperation between Iran and Russia to 'contain America.' The U.S. has reinstated the first round of sanctions against Tehran, with the second round, which will include oil sanctions, set to be implemented in mid-November. The United States claims it is working to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero by that time. Currently, India, the second-largest buyer of Iranian oil, has reduced its imports. Japanese media have also reported that Tokyo has failed to convince the U.S. to grant exemptions, and therefore Japan is expected to 'halt' oil imports from Iran in October. Japanese officials have not yet confirmed these reports. Pompeo: The U.S. helps other countries replace Iranian oil. Rick Perry is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Moscow since the meeting between Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. Currently, a delegation of inspectors and committees in the U.S. Congress is investigating allegations against Russia regarding interference in the 2016 presidential election. Russia has denied these allegations. Additionally, relations between the two sides are facing tensions due to U.S. sanctions, disagreements over the Syrian crisis, Ukraine, and other issues.