Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stood in defense of the temporary waivers granted to eight countries to proceed their crude oil trade with Iran against Congressional critics who describe the U.S. as being too soft on the Islamic Republic, Bloomberg informed.
The remarks come a day before U.S. sanctions on Iran’s energy and shipping are due to be reimposed following President Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement.
“The President’s policy of maximum pressure will be fully in place come tomorrow,” Pompeo said during the interview. “Watch the Iranians. That’s who really understand the importance and the impact of the effort that we’re undertaking.”
Pompeo also mentioned that U.S. moves have “had an enormous impact already.” Iranian crude oil exports have already been reduced by over 1 million barrels a day and will continue to fall, he added.
Pompeo did not mention whether India and China are to receive waivers, or if they’d delivered commitments to stop their buying. India, Japan and South Korea are among those who will receive waivers, and China is in discussions on terms but is among the eight.
The waivers are intended for countries who would need a bit more time to adjust and get their purchases down to zero, Pompeo said, a comment consistent one made on Friday, when he said waivers were being given to importers who’ve made “important moves” toward shunning Iranian oil.
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