Wall Street Journal: Iran's Oil Exports Have Increased with 'Quiet Diplomacy' from the U.S.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, September 30, that the U.S. has 'reduced' restrictions on the export of Iranian oil as part of a larger step towards easing sanctions during hostage negotiations, which peaked with the release of five detained Americans. According to the publication, this kind of 'de-escalation' in the enforcement of energy export sanctions against Iran, including shipments to China as the largest buyer, has significantly 'increased' and appears to be more of a 'strategic decision' to facilitate diplomatic talks and 'engagement' with Iran rather than merely a measure for the release of detainees. Meanwhile, based on this report, Iran's crude oil production has surpassed three million barrels per day, and oil exports have approached two million barrels per day, indicating a 'significant increase' compared to the level of sanctions in 2020. Critics argue that the U.S. is not using 'all available diplomatic tools' to 'enforce sanctions,' allowing for the expansion of untracked tankers used for Iranian and Russian oil shipments. While tanker owners are preparing to re-enter the oil trade with Iran should sanctions ease as part of a new nuclear agreement with Iran, some U.S. congressional representatives have called for increased enforcement of sanctions. Bloomberg's Claim: 'Unwritten Oil Agreement' Between Iran and the U.S. Earlier, Voice of America reported on September 25, citing Bloomberg's news site, that after several months of 'behind-the-scenes diplomacy' between the Iranian and U.S. governments, there seems to be significant progress not only in prisoner exchanges and possibly a decision to reduce uranium enrichment but also in 'unwritten agreements' regarding 'oil exports.' As the global oil market has also created a kind of informal bilateral oil exchange between the two sides, U.S. officials claim that oil sanctions against Iran have been reduced. According to this report, about two weeks ago, when some U.S. media reported on the initiation of the process for the release of five Iranian-American prisoners in exchange for the release of six billion dollars of blocked funds in South Korea, both Tehran and Washington confirmed this matter. Bloomberg's report indicates that U.S. officials privately acknowledged that they have 'gradually' reduced oil sanctions against Iran, resulting in 'increased oil sales by Iran' to 'the highest level' since the return of sanctions five years ago and also the highest amount of oil sales to China. Recently, it was revealed that Tehran and Washington have been conducting indirect and confidential negotiations through Qatar and Oman for about two years and have reached an 'unwritten agreement' on 'certain issues.' The detained tanker 'Suez Rajan' changed its name and headed to the Bahamas. The United States announced the establishment of a channel to send humanitarian aid to Iran. Reuters: Despite U.S. sanctions, China has increased its oil purchases from Iran. Iran summoned the Swiss chargé d'affaires over the seizure of a sanctioned oil shipment. The continuation of 'barter economic management' in Iran; the development of 'Imam' airport was handed over to the Chinese in exchange for oil. Bloomberg's claim of an 'unwritten oil agreement' between Iran and the U.S.