Iran deal to evade EU oil ban
Source: Agencies |
July 8, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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IRAN has reached agreements with European refiners to sell some of its oil through a private consortium, an official said yesterday, a move designed to circumvent sanctions intended to put pressure on Tehran to halt its disputed nuclear programme.
The head of the oil products exporters' union said the agreement between the exporters' union, Iran's central bank, and the oil ministry would get round a European Union ban on shipping insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, though he gave few details and did not name the refiners involved.
The EU put into effect a ban on the importation, purchase, or shipping of Iranian oil on July 1, and the Islamic Republic will see its oil exports fall by more than 50 percent this month from last year's levels.
"There have been discussions with European refiners, and a final agreement reached," said Hassan Khosrojerdi, the exporters' union head, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency.
"It is planned that 20 percent of Iran's oil exports will go through this private consortium."
He added: "It is likely that because of international restrictions, we will give minor privileges or discounts."
Khosrojerdi did not say which refiners were involved or how they would receive the oil. Asked what steps had been taken to circumvent the shipping insurance ban, he said: "With the agreement with some European refiners, this problem has been solved."
Historically, Iran's National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was solely responsible for the sale of Iran's crude.
Before the embargo, Iran sold a fifth of its crude to Europe.
The head of the oil products exporters' union said the agreement between the exporters' union, Iran's central bank, and the oil ministry would get round a European Union ban on shipping insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, though he gave few details and did not name the refiners involved.
The EU put into effect a ban on the importation, purchase, or shipping of Iranian oil on July 1, and the Islamic Republic will see its oil exports fall by more than 50 percent this month from last year's levels.
"There have been discussions with European refiners, and a final agreement reached," said Hassan Khosrojerdi, the exporters' union head, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency.
"It is planned that 20 percent of Iran's oil exports will go through this private consortium."
He added: "It is likely that because of international restrictions, we will give minor privileges or discounts."
Khosrojerdi did not say which refiners were involved or how they would receive the oil. Asked what steps had been taken to circumvent the shipping insurance ban, he said: "With the agreement with some European refiners, this problem has been solved."
Historically, Iran's National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was solely responsible for the sale of Iran's crude.
Before the embargo, Iran sold a fifth of its crude to Europe.
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