If there was ever an irony in oil diplomacy, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi believes the latest changes may be fitting. Araghci on Saturday accused the United States of hypocrisy over Russian crude oil, saying it was now urging countries to buy the very oil it once tried to block.
Araghchi criticized the United States in an
Araghchi wrote in “The United States has spent months harassing India to stop importing oil from Russia. After a two-week war with Iran, the White House is now begging the world, including India, to buy Russian crude.”
Araghci also accused European governments of supporting an “illegal war” against Iran to secure American support for Russia.
“Europe thought that supporting an illegal war against Iran would win American support against Russia. It’s pathetic,” he said.
Iran’s foreign minister published these remarks along with a Financial Times headline saying that rising oil prices have led to increased imports for Russia.
His comments come as the Trump administration on Thursday announced a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil cargoes currently stranded at sea. This is a measure to stabilize global energy markets after crude oil prices soared above $100 per barrel amid the war in the Middle East.
The exemption was introduced after the price of benchmark crude surged more than $100 a barrel due to supply disruptions due to war and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
The temporary permit allows for the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products already on board the vessel as of March 12, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. This permit is valid until midnight on April 11, Washington time.
The move comes after India granted a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil cargoes stuck at sea, which has limited flexibility for importers to secure supplies during the ongoing crisis.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said the move was a “narrowly tailored” temporary measure designed to stabilize markets and would not provide Moscow with a significant financial benefit.
Iran allows safe passage of Indian ships
Citing four sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Reuters reported that despite the conflict, Iran has allowed two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fatali said Tehran would ensure safe passage of ships heading to India through the strategic waterway.
Asked whether Indian ships would be allowed safe passage, Fathali said: “Yes, because India and Iran are friends.”
He added, “We have common interests and a common destiny.” The envoy’s comments came just hours after he suggested India-bound ships could safely transit the strait within two to three hours, underscoring the long-standing economic and diplomatic ties between Tehran and New Delhi despite widespread regional turmoil.
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Based on the agency’s opinion