Turkey defies US, EU ban on Iran oil

Oil derricks in Iran (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/224025.html

Turkey has defied Western calls to ban Iranian crude imports, saying Ankara will not go along with the EU and US sanctions on Iranian oil.

A Turkish Energy Ministry spokesman said on Monday, “We are not bound by EU or US decisions.”

On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu ruled out the possibility of Ankara complying with the unilateral sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, saying Turkey is currently trying to facilitate talks between Tehran and Western nations on Iran's nuclear program.

Turkey imports a significant amount of Iranian oil for its biggest petrochemical company, Tupras, which operates four refineries with a total of 28.1 million tons of annual crude oil processing capacity.

Russia, India, and China have also criticized the West's sanctions on Iranian crude.

On December 31, 2011, US President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions on Iran and announced that the United States would begin penalizing other countries for importing Iranian oil or conducting transactions with the country's central bank.

European Union ministers reached an agreement on January 23 to ban oil imports from Iran, freeze the assets of the Central Bank of Iran within the bloc, and ban the sale of diamonds, gold, and other precious metals to Iran.

Panetta: No options off table on Iran

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223981.html

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has once again threatened Iran with a military strike against the country's nuclear facilities despite the IAEA inspectors visiting Iran.

"There are no options that are off the table," he made the comment on the CBS when asked if military action was being contemplated about Iran.

The war rhetoric by the Pentagon chief comes as a delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Tehran on Sunday to visit Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Tehran is optimistic about the results of the group's mission.

Panetta also predicted that Iranians could develop a nuclear weapon within about one year "if they decided to do it."

He added that it would probably take Iran another two to three years to produce a missile or other vehicle that could deliver the weapon to a target.

"If they proceed and we get intelligence that they're proceeding with developing a nuclear weapon, then we will take whatever steps are necessary to stop it," he warned.

In November 2011, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano released a report claiming that Iran was engaged in activities aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

Tehran has rejected the report as "unbalanced, unprofessional and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure by mostly the United States."

The US and Israel have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran's nuclear program may include a covert military aspect, a claim strongly rejected by Tehran.

IAEA's previous Iran visit

The IAEA delegation headed by Herman Nackaerts previously traveled Iran in August 2011 and visited Natanz and Fordo nuclear facilities as well as the fuel production plant in Isfahan, the Bushehr power plant, and the heavy water research reactor in Arak among other sites.

Despite Iran's transparency in dealing with the IAEA team, Nackaerts prepared an anti-Iran report in November 2011, which echoed baseless US allegations.

Nackaerts violated the UN nuclear agency's regulations by providing data such as Iran-IAEA official letters, and satellite images of a military base in Tehran's Parchin district, to the IAEA Board of Governors and Reuters.

Germany urges Iran to exercise restraint

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223744.html

The German Foreign Minister has called on Iran to show restraint after Tehran threatened member states of the European Union with an immediate cutoff of oil exports to the bloc.

In an interview with Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Guido Westerwelle claimed that the crisis-hit EU would not allow Iran to push it into a corner with a potential cut in oil supplies.

During their latest meeting in Brussels on January 23, EU foreign ministers reached an agreement to ban oil imports from Iran, freeze the country's central bank's assets within EU, and ban sales of diamonds, gold and other precious metals to Iran.

While EU sanctions will enter into force after a delay of six months, Iranian lawmakers are considering a plan to enforce an immediate ban on all oil exports to European countries.

Referring to escalating rhetoric between Iran and EU, the German Foreign Minister added that Iranian leaders hold "the key to reducing tensions in their hands."

"We will find ways in the EU to compensate for delivery stoppages," he said.

The EU imported some 600,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil in the first 10 months of last year -- equivalent to nearly 20 percent of Iran's exports.

Some EU members are seeking grace periods of between one and 12 months to allow them to find alternative supplies. Greece, which depends heavily on Iranian crude, is pushing for the longest delay while Britain, France, the Netherlands and Germany say they need a maximum period of three months.

The United States, Israel and their European allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program and have used this pretext to impose four rounds of international and a series of unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Iran has refuted the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran has a right to use nuclear technology for peaceful use.

Iran to end oil exports to some states

Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223795.html

Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi says the Islamic Republic will soon stop crude oil exports to certain countries in the wake of the European Union's decision to ban imports of oil from Iran.

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting in the capital Tehran on Sunday, Qasemi said less than 20 percent of Iran's crude oil is currently being exported to Europe and that Iran has no problem in selling its oil to a market other than the EU.

Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Ahmad Qalebani said Sunday crude oil prices could reach USD150 a barrel in the aftermath of the EU sanctions on Iran's oil exports.

He said global economic and business blocs will experience tremendous shocks because of the embargo on Tehran and the West will suffer the most from the measure.

Meanwhile, Majlis is due to debate a bill this week that would cut off oil supplies to the EU in a matter of days, in response to the 27-member bloc's decision to stop importing crude oil from Iran as of July.

European Union foreign ministers agreed to ban oil imports from Iran on January 23 and to freeze the assets of the Iranian Central Bank across the EU.

The European Union also imposed a ban on the sale of grains, gold, diamonds, and other precious metals to Iran.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said the sanctions are aimed at pressuring Iran to return to talks over the nuclear program.

The embargo followed an earlier announcement by Ashton, who said the P5+1 group -- comprising the US, the UK, Russia, France, China and Germany -- was ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran.

Russian foreign ministry described the Iranian oil embargo as a "deeply mistaken" move, which would not encourage Tehran to return to the negotiating table.

India snubs US call for ban on Iran oil

Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223832.html

India has refused to bow to Washington's pressure on Delhi to cut its energy ties with Tehran, saying it will continue to buy Iranian oil despite US and EU sanctions.

Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee made the remarks at the end of a two-day visit to Chicago on Sunday.

"It is not possible for India to take any decision to reduce the imports from Iran drastically, because among the countries which can provide the requirement of the emerging economies, Iran is an important country amongst them," the Indian finance minister said.

India, the world's fourth-largest petroleum consumer, is Iran's second largest oil customer after China and purchases around $12 billion worth of Iranian crude every year, about 12 percent of its consumption.

On December 31, 2011, US President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions against Tehran, seeking to penalize countries importing Iran's oil or doing transaction with Islamic Republic's Central Bank.

Also during their meeting in Brussels on January 23, EU foreign ministers reached an agreement to ban oil imports from Iran, freeze the assets of Iranian Central Bank across the EU, and ban sales of grains, diamonds, gold and other precious metals to the country.

Washington has been trying to persuade emerging economies in Asia -- Iran's biggest oil market -- to cut imports of petroleum from the country. Both India and China have voiced opposition to the sanctions.

Oil likely to reach USD150 per barrel

The managing director of National Iranian Oil Co. says the crude oil price may reach USD150 a barrel

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223766.html

A senior Iranian oil official says the price of crude could reach USD150 a barrel in the aftermath of new sanctions imposed by the European Union on Iranian oil imports.

Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Ahmad Qalebani said Sunday the miscalculated and hardline EU stance on Iran will compel other countries to lose their confidence in the 27-member bloc as a reliable business partner, and seek to forge economic relations with those states, which value stable business ties the most.

He added that global economic and business blocs will experience tremendous shocks from the EU oil embargo on Tehran, stressing that the West will suffer the most from such a measure.

Qalebani highlighted that Iran, given its rich energy resources, has the upper hand over European states should the latter seek to further politicize the energy issue.

The sale of some 18 percent of Iranian oil to a market other than the EU is potentially possible. However, Iran's long-term idea is to increase refining capacities to produce valuable products, Iran's deputy oil minister said.

Qalebani pointed out that countries like China, India and South Korea place national interests before engagement in political games, and view Iran -- OPEC's second largest producer - as a dependable energy supplier.

He said more than 70 percent of Iran's crude oil is currently being sold on the Asian market.

The NIOC managing director stated that neither heavy nor light Saudi crude oil can compensate for Iranian oil exports in case sanctions against Iran's oil sector are enacted.

European Union foreign ministers agreed to ban oil imports from Iran on January 23, and to freeze the assets of the Iranian Central Bank across the EU.

The European Union also imposed a ban on the sale of grains, gold, diamonds, and other precious metals to Iran.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said the sanctions are aimed at pressuring Iran to return to talks over the nuclear program.

The embargo followed an earlier announcement by Ashton, who said the P5+1 group -- comprising the US, the UK, Russia, France, China and Germany -- was ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran.

The Russian foreign ministry described the Iranian oil embargo as a "deeply mistaken" move, which would not encourage Tehran to return to the negotiating table.

Anti-Iran sanctions, dead end: Russia

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223435.html

Russia's deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has lashed out at the unilateral sanctions by Western countries against Iran's oil industry, describing the policy as ineffective.

In an interview with Echo Moscow radio station on Friday, Ryabkov said imposing unilateral embargoes on Iran has reached a “dead end.”

The Russian official went on to say that stepping up anti-Iran pressure “gets nowhere,” stressing that negotiation is the only opportunity to resolve dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.

In a statement issued on January 20, EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced that the P5+1 -- the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany -- is ready to resume talks with Iran.

The last round of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 was held in Turkish city of Istanbul in January 2011.

Russia has repeatedly criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for its November report.

The IAEA report accused Iran of conducting activities related to developing nuclear weapons before 2003, adding that these activities "may still be ongoing."

Iran, however, dismissed the allegation as "unbalanced, unprofessional and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure mostly by the US."

Ryabkov emphasized that P5+1 talks were fruitless, "because some members of this group have no clear understanding about the point that nobody would tolerate sanctions."

EU foreign ministers reached an agreement on January 23 to impose an immediate ban on oil imports from Iran over the country's nuclear program as of July 1.

The 27-member bloc agreed to ban oil imports as well as petroleum products from the major OPEC member state and freeze the assets of the Central Bank of Iran across the EU.

The EU also imposed a ban on the sale of diamonds, gold and other precious metals to Iran.

Israel demands tougher Iran sanctions

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223434.html

Following the EU-sponsored sanctions on Tehran, Tel Aviv has called for tougher sanctions against Iran's oil and banking sector in order to force the country into abandoning its peaceful nuclear program.

"We are determined to prevent Iran from turning nuclear,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on Friday.

The US, Israel and their allies have been accusing Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program, and have used the allegation to impose four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions and more unilateral measures against the Islamic Republic.

Iran has categorically refuted the US-led allegations regarding its nuclear program, saying that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member state of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

“Even the American president and opinion leaders have said that no option should be removed from the table and Iran should be blocked from turning nuclear," the Israeli official added.

Barak also added that "It seems to us to be urgent, because the Iranians are deliberately drifting into what we call an immunity zone where practically no surgical operation could block them."

Earlier this week Israeli President Shimon Peres hailed the EU move to impose an oil embargo on Iran, expressing hope that it would "really bear fruit" with regard to Tehran's nuclear program.

Foreign ministers of the European Union reached an agreement on January 23 to impose sanctions on Iran's oil imports and freeze the assets of the Central Bank of Iran. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the sanctions were aimed at pressuring Iran to return to talks over the nuclear program.

Iran will stop EU oil exports this week

Iran could halt its oil exports to Europe as early as next week.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223395.html

A senior Iranian lawmaker says Majlis (parliament) will discuss a bill in the coming week which seeks to cut off Iran's oil exports to Europe.

Deputy head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Hossein Ebrahimi said on Friday that Iranian lawmakers would debate a “double-urgency” bill on Sunday which calls for the ban of oil exports to Europe as early as next week.

The move comes after EU foreign ministers reached an agreement in Brussels on Monday to impose sanctions on oil imports from Iran as of July 1. The sanctions involve an immediate ban on all new oil contracts with the Islamic Republic and freezing the assets of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) within the EU.

The Majlis motion would deny Europe the six-month phase-in period that the bloc has considered to adjust and find alternative sources to Iran's crude.

The recent EU sanctions on Iranian oil are merely a “psychological warfare,” as the 27-member bloc is delaying the implementation of the embargoes under various pretexts, Ebrahimi added.

“Europe is uncertain about enforcing these sanctions and seeks to project [its own woes] and manipulate public opinion,” the lawmaker said.

The EU accounted for 18 percent of Iranian crude oil sales in the first half of 2011, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), making it Iran's second biggest customer after China.

The EU sanctions came after US President Barack Obama signed into law fresh unilateral economic embargoes against the Central Bank of Iran on New Year's Eve in an apparent bid to punish foreign companies and banks that do business with the Iranian financial institution. The bill ultimately takes aim at Iran's oil revenue.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program and have used this pretext to push for the imposition of four rounds of UN sanctions and a series of unilateral embargoes against the Islamic Republic.

Iran has refuted the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to use nuclear technology for peaceful use.

Iran oil war will bring EU to knees

Iran's lawmakers are considering a plan to completely stop oil exports to EU member states

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223382.html

An Iranian lawmaker says entering into oil war with Iran will bring European Union member states to their knees as Tehran will prevent the export of even one drop of oil.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has the world's third biggest oil reserves and cannot be eliminated from global energy equations,” Seyyed Emad Hosseini, spokesman for the Majlis (parliament) Energy Commission, said on Friday.

The lawmaker said playing with the world's third biggest oil power will certainly affect international oil and gas transactions and Europe will not be immune from oil price fluctuations.

He stated that the Iranian Majlis is considering a plan to completely stop oil exports to EU members which will initially paralyze the economies of Italy, Spain and Greece.

“Iran is powerful [as a country] and oil sanctions imposed by European countries will only harm the European Union because Iran can easily prove its oil supremacy in the Middle East region,” he said.

Hosseini added that Europe will definitely lose its oil war with Iran because European countries are grappling with numerous domestic challenges and disruption of Iran oil flow will lead to the escalation of domestic pressure and crisis in EU member states.

During their latest meeting in Brussels on Monday, January 23, EU foreign ministers reached an agreement to ban oil imports from Iran, freeze the country's central bank's assets within EU, and ban sales of diamonds, gold and other precious metals to Iran.

EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, claimed that the new sanctions aim to bring Iran back to negotiations with P5+1 -- US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany -- over the country's peaceful nuclear program.

The United States, Israel and their European allies accuse Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program and have used this pretext to impose four rounds of sanctions and a series of unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Iran has refuted the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran has a right to use nuclear technology for peaceful use.

US lobbies Pakistan to drop IP project

US State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/223387.html

The United States has urged Pakistan to abandon the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project promising Washington will help Islamabad with the consequences of the decision.

Spokeswoman of the US State Department Victoria Nuland said on Friday that Pakistan was “one of the countries that we're working with, primarily from the US Embassy," to stop buying gas from Iran.

On December 31, 2011, US President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions against Iran, which seek to penalize foreign institutions that do business with Iran's central bank and oil sector.

"We're talking to countries around the world about the implications of this legislation and our efforts to cut global dependence on Iran," Nuland added.

Asked if Washington is encouraging Pakistan to buy cheaper gas from US companies, she said, "I don't have anything specific on where those conversations are leading, but we are talking about all kinds of diversification."

An article published by the International Herald Tribune on Wednesday noted that Washington is trying to lure Islamabad away from the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project by offering cheaper gas to the country.

The article added that the US has stepped up efforts to lobby Pakistan to abandon not only the IP gas pipeline project, but also liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases from its western neighbor in return for cheaper gas from US.

Pakistan's Foreign Office announced on Thursday that the gas pipeline project between the country and Iran did not come under the sanctions imposed on Tehran because of its nuclear program.

"Pakistan is committed to the Pak-Iran gas pipeline and sanctions do not cover this project," Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit added.

The multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline aims to export a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters (or 8.7 billion cubic meters per year) of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.

Maximum daily gas transfer capacity of the 56-inch pipeline which runs over 900 km of Iran's soil from Asalouyeh in Bushehr Province to the city of Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province has been given at 110 million cubic meters.

Iran has already constructed more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.

'Iran sanctions will fizzle'

Namik Kemal Zeybek, the leader of Turkey's Democratic Party (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222741.html

A senior Turkish politician says that the sanctions imposed on Iran by the West will not be effective because the country has a self-sufficient economic system, Press TV reports.

Namik Kemal Zeybek, the leader of Turkey's Democratic Party, told Press TV's correspondent in Ankara that the main reason behind the sanctions on Iran is the fact that the Islamic Republic resists “global capitalism.”

“After [Iran's] Islamic Revolution, Iran spent its resources on its government and its people and did not allow its oil to be exploited, and this is its sole crime, of course from the West's point of view. The second and the main issue is that Iran has proven that it can be a resistance against imperialism and global capitalism... This fact is behind all the pressure on Iran,” Zeybek stated.

“Such sanctions have always been imposed. Iran's economic system has developed in a self-sufficient way, and this is why such sanctions will not be effective,” the Turkish politician added.

“The government that was established after the Islamic Revolution has a powerful structure. Iran is a very powerful country,” he said in conclusion.

Foreign ministers of the European Union reached an agreement on Monday to impose sanctions on Iran's oil imports and freeze the assets of the Central Bank of Iran within the EU.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters that the sanctions are meant to pressure Iran to return to the talks over its nuclear program.

The EU has also imposed a ban on the sale of gold, diamonds, and other precious metals to Iran.

Tehran has warned that the embargo will have negative consequences, such as an increase in oil prices.

Israel, US hail new EU sanctions on Iran

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222758.html

Israel and the United Stated have praised the European Union's decision to ban oil imports from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the new sanction is a step in the right direction, but said that such moves are not enough.

Washington said the EU's move keeps more money out of Iran's nuclear energy program.

"It is necessary to pressure Iran very hard and very quickly,” Netanyahu stated.

White House spokesman Jay Carney warned that the process of imposing sanctions will continue to intensify, while US President Barack Obama said, "I applaud today's actions by our partners in the European Union.”

The United States also named Iran's Bank Tejarat as the target of new sanctions on Monday.

Foreign ministers of the European Union reached an agreement on Monday to impose sanctions on Iran's oil imports and freeze the assets of the Central Bank of Iran within the EU.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told reporters that the sanctions are meant to pressure Iran to return to the talks over its nuclear program.

The EU has also imposed a ban on the sale of gold, diamonds, and other precious metals to Iran.

Tehran has warned that the embargo will have negative consequences, such as an increase in oil prices.

Russia rejects sanctions against Iran

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222620.html

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying such sanctions would be counterproductive.

"Unilateral sanctions do not help matters," Lavrov said on Monday. "We will restrain everyone from making harsh moves. We will seek the resumption of negotiations."

He made the remarks after European diplomats confirmed earlier on Monday that the EU has agreed to impose sanctions on Iran's oil exports.

Lavrov also noted that he was confident that new round of talks between Iran and Western powers could be resumed soon.

"Moscow believes that there are fairly firm prospects for the resumption of talks in the immediate future," he said.

In a statement on Friday, EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton announced that the P5+1 -- the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany -- is ready to resume talks with Iran.

The last round of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 was held in Turkish city of Istanbul in January 2011.

Russia has repeatedly criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for its November report.

"These opportunities [resumption of talks] exist despite an entire series of recent steps, including those taken by the IAEA director general," the Russian foreign minister said

The IAEA report accused Iran of conducting activities related to developing nuclear weapons before 2003, adding that these activities "may still be ongoing."

Iran, however, dismissed the allegation as "unbalanced, unprofessional and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure mostly by the US."

EU imposes sanctions on Iran oil

New EU sanctions involve an immediate ban on all new oil contracts with Iran.

EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222672.html

Foreign ministers of the European Union have imposed sanctions on Iranian oil imports over the country's peaceful nuclear program during their Monday meeting in Brussels.

The sanctions involve an immediate ban on all new oil contracts with Iran and a freeze on the assets of Iran's Central Bank within the EU.

According to an EU diplomat, the ministers have agreed to delay full implementation of the oil embargo until July 1, in order to protect Europe's economy, which is struggling with a two-year-old debt crisis.

EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, told reporters that the sanctions are aimed at pressuring Iran to return to talks over the nuclear program.

"I want to see Iran come back to the table and either pick up all the ideas that we left on the table…last year...or to come forward with its own ideas," she added.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague called the embargo part of "an unprecedented set of sanctions.”

"I think this shows the resolve of the European Union on this issue," he added.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle noted that imposing sanctions was a vital action to be taken to guarantee “security in the world."

Iran's oil accounts for more than one-third of Greece's total oil imports, 15 percent of Spain's and over 12 percent of Italy's.

The EU has also imposed a ban on the sale of gold, diamonds, and other precious metals to Iran.

The anti-Iran measure has drawn immediate reaction from Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying the sanctions would be "unhelpful."

"Unilateral sanctions do not help matters," Lavrov said on Monday. "We will restrain everyone from making harsh moves. We will seek the resumption of negotiations.

Tehran has warned that the embargo will have negative consequences, increasing price of oil.

EU diplomats confirm Iran oil ban

Iran's Ferdowsi oilfield in the Persian Gulf

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222631.html

Foreign ministers from the European Union have agreed to impose sanctions on Iran's oil exports, European diplomats have confirmed.

The ministers met in Brussels on Monday to step up pressure on Tehran over its peaceful nuclear energy program.

Details of the sanctions are to be announced later, but it is said that a ban on all crude oil exports from Iran to the EU will take effect in five months, on July 1.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague "welcomed" the new oil sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

"The UK has been looking for an unprecedented set of sanctions and that is what we have agreed," Hague said.

Iran's oil accounts for more than one-third of Greece's total oil imports, 15 percent of Spain's and over 12 percent of Italy's.

The EU has also imposed a ban on the sale of gold, diamonds, and other precious metals to Iran.

The anti-Iran measure has drawn immediate reaction from Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected unilateral sanctions against Iran, saying the sanctions would be "unhelpful."

"Unilateral sanctions do not help matters," Lavrov said on Monday. "We will restrain everyone from making harsh moves. We will seek the resumption of negotiations.

Tehran has warned that the embargo will have negative consequences, increasing the oil price.

US to send old warship to Persian Gulf

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222475.html

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has vowed to maintain a fleet of eleven warships despite budget pressures, mostly to project sea power against Iran.

On board of the oldest US aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, Panetta told the crowd of 1,700 sailors that the 50-year-old ship is heading to the Persian Gulf region in a direct message to Tehran.

“The reason we maintain a presence in the Middle East ... We want them to know that we are fully prepared to deal with any contingency and it's better for them to try to deal with us through diplomacy," Panetta said.

The USS Enterprise is the oldest active duty ship in the American naval fleet and its mission dates back to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 and the Vietnam War.

The decision to maintain 11 warships comes at a time when the US economy is facing a national debt of more than USD 15 trillion after a decade of costly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and is preparing for 487 billion dollars in defense cuts over the next 10 years.

On January 5, US President Barack Obama announced the shift in Washington's defense strategy to reduce the expenses. The eight-page document contained no details about how broad concepts for reshaping the military - such as focusing more on Asia and less on Europe - will translate into troop or weapons cuts.

Iran has warned the West of the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass.

Iran threats were issued in response to aggressive military build-up, covert war operations and proposed sanctions against the Iranian oil sector, coming from the US and its allies.

UN must stop being West handmaiden

The United States has been building up military presence in the region as tension escalates between Tehran and Washington

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221985.html

A political analyst says the US is trying to push for war against Iran in its attempt to gain monopolistic control over the raw materials of other countries, calling on the UN to cease behaving like the handmaiden of the West.

In an article published on Global Research website, US-based analyst Sandhya Jain says as the need for energy security increases the mutual interdependence of countries, the US seeks monopolistic control over the raw materials of other countries.

“Confrontation and conflict are built into this 19th century-style buccaneering ideal; as a result, war clouds loom over Iran,” Jain said.

But a conflict with Iran, Jain added, will not be one-sided.

“For one, Russia under Mr. Vladimir Putin aligned with China and Iran, with silent approval from nations like India and Germany that seek energy security by peaceful means, may resist US-led Western hegemony more forcefully,” the analyst said.

According to the article, the government of India has already moved with commendable alacrity to clarify that it has not asked oil firms to reduce crude imports from Tehran.

“Once he becomes Russia's President, Mr. Putin is likely to resist the US on Iran and also address the issue of NATO's encirclement of Russia with ballistic missile installations. He will almost certainly intensify energy politics via pipeline diplomacy with NATO members such as Germany, France and Italy to woo them away from the US.”

Jain believes US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has admitted that despite the rhetoric, America is aware that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons but is only pursuing “a nuclear capability.”

The Washington-Tehran face-off is causing unease in world capitals, the article noted, as the Iranian resistance is likely to be superior to what America and its allies faced in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan.

“Already amidst escalating uncertainties, China, Russia, Iran, India, Brazil, Venezuela and other countries have moved to do bilateral trade in their own currencies and avoid using the dollar as the reserve currency.”

The US, Jain writes, will have to come to terms with the fact that its currency - once the world's reserve currency - is losing traction in international trade. China and Japan now trade in bilateral currencies and Russia is making similar deals with major trading partners.

“Despite its formidable military power the US must be able to fund a new war…. The US could fund the fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and other places because China and other trade surplus nations invested in America's treasury debt. They will now shift, cutting the US adrift at a time when it needs to throttle the emerging Russia-China-Iran axis,” the author noted.

Jain added that in case of a possible military face-off, an Iran enraged by repeated assassination of its nuclear scientists will fight for its honor and sovereignty.

“The world cannot afford the ruination that an Iran war could wreak upon us all. De-escalation of the crisis is imperative. For a start, the major capitals must ensure that the UN ceases to behave like a handmaiden of Western colonial interests,” he concluded.

US army chief in Israel for Iran talks

Chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/222018.html

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey is in an official visit to Israel to confer with Israeli officials on Iran's nuclear program.

General Dempsey arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday for a 24-hour visit, and is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, President Shimon Peres, and military chief of staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz.

The top US general's visit, which is his first to Israel since taking over as US military chief in October 2011, comes as the two allies are coordinating efforts to curb Iran's nuclear energy program.

The US, Israel, and their allies accuse Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program and have used this allegation as a pretext to sway the United Nations Security Council to impose four rounds of sanctions on Iran.

Based on these accusations, they have also repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike.

The pressure against Tehran increased in November 2011 after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused Iran of conducting activities related to developing nuclear weapons before 2003, adding that these activities "may still be ongoing."

Iran dismissed the allegation as "unbalanced, unprofessional and prepared with political motivation and under political pressure mostly by the US."

Tehran argues that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

China defends oil trade with Iran

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221997.html

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says his country will continue oil trade with Iran in defiance of proposed US and European sanctions which aim to stop Iran's oil exports.

Speaking to reporters during the last leg of his Persian Gulf tour in the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday, Wen noted that Beijing will continue normal trading relations with Tehran while supporting UN Security Council resolutions on Iran's nuclear issue.

"China's oil trade with Iran is a normal commercial activity," he added.

China's prime minister said, "I believe that China is not the only country to buy oil from Iran... Legitimate trade has to be protected if global economic chaos is to be avoided."

He also underlined his country's firm opposition to development and possession of nuclear weapons by any country, calling for the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East.

Before arriving in Qatar, Wen had visited Saudi Arabia, where he presided over the signing of energy deals with China's top oil provider.

China also inked similar energy deals with the United Arab Emirates during Wen's visit to the Persian Gulf state.

The Chinese prime minister's Middle Eastern tour comes in the midst of escalating tensions between Iran and the West over proposed sanctions against the Iran's oil sector.

Tehran has threatened that if sanctions are actually imposed on Iran's oil trade, the country may respond by closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iran is the third largest provider of oil to China. Although Qatar and the UAE are both major oil-producing countries, they are not among the top 10 oil exporters to the Asian economic giant.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow shipping channel between the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman with a daily flow of about 15 million barrels of oil.