Iran Defies Sanctions, Sells Oil to 17 Nations

Iran is reportedly selling crude oil to 17 countries, including some in Europe, despite U.S. sanctions, according to Oil Minister Javad Owji. Owji did not disclose specifics about the transactions due to sensitivity. The re-imposed sanctions in 2018 had previously limited Iran's oil export market primarily to China and Syria.

Iran is selling crude oil to 17 countries, Oil Minister Javad Owji was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr News Agency on Tuesday, indicating some states may not be honouring U.S. sanctions. "We sell our oil wherever we want to. In fact, we export to 17 countries, including (countries in) Europe," Owji said in a video shared by Mehr News Agency when asked about foreign reports about European countries importing Iranian crude oil.

Owji said he could not provide additional detail regarding the amounts sold or the identity of buyers due to the sensitivity of the subject. Washington re-imposed sanctions on Tehran in 2018, after exiting a 2015 nuclear pact that allowed Iran to sell its oil in exchange for constraints on its nuclear programme.

Subsequently, Iran's list of crude buyers fell sharply, with most of its exports then directed to China and smaller amounts to regional ally Syria.