The United States has granted Japan and 10 European Union countries exemptions to Iranian sanctions for significant reductions in the volume of crude oil they purchased from Iran.
In a press statement in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States and the international community remain committed to maintaining pressure on the Iranian regime until it fully addresses concerns about its nuclear program.
Secretary Kerry announces that based on additional significant reductions in the volume of its crude oil purchases from Iran, Japan has again qualified for an exemption to sanctions outlined in Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.
10 EU countries exempted too!
Secretary Kerry also announces 10 European Union countries particularly Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom have also qualified for a renewal of the NDAA exemption because they have not purchased Iranian oil since July 1, 2012, pursuant to a decision made by European Union in January 2012.
“As a result, I will report to the Congress that exemptions to sanctions pursuant to Section 1245 of the NDAA for certain transactions will apply to the financial institutions based in these countries for a potentially renewable period of 180 days.” – Secretary Kerry
According to Secretary Kerry, today’s action is another example of the international community’s commitment to convince Iran to meet its international obligations.
He notes a total of 20 countries and economies have continued to significantly reduce the volume of their crude oil purchases from Iran.
“The message to the Iranian regime from the international community is clear: take concrete actions to satisfy the concerns of the international community, or face increasing isolation and pressure.” – Secretary Kerry
20 Countries Curb Volume of Crude Oil Purchases From Iran
With its commitment to maintain pressure on the Iranian regime until it fully addresses concerns about its nuclear program, the United States of America has reported that a total of 20 countries and economies have continued to significantly reduce the volume of their crude oil purchases from Iran.
China, India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Taiwan have again qualified for an exemption to sanctions outlined in Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, based on additional reductions in the volume of their crude oil purchases from Iran.
According to the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration report to Congress, Iran’s oil production fell by one million barrels per day in September and October 2012, compared to the same period in 2011.
In June 2011, the United States of America have imposed several sanctions on Iran. The United States imposed sanctions on Tidewater Middle East Company, an operator of Iranian ports owned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that has links to Iranian proliferation activities.
The United States has also imposed sanctions against Iran Air, which was designated for providing material support and services to the IRGC and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), and also has facilitated proliferation-related activities.
The European Union as well has imposed sanctions against Iran. The EU bans imports of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, freeze the assets of the Iranian central bank, and take additional action against Iran’s energy, financial, and transport sectors.
The measures was agreed by the EU Foreign Affairs Council which are another strong step in the international effort to dramatically increase the pressure on Iran.
The Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the secret police and primary intelligence agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is considered an important element of the Iranian government’s security apparatus. It is well funded and equipped.
In 1999, The Ministry were held responsible for the serial murders of dissident writers and intellectuals.
