NO Exemptions for Iranian Oil Importers

Today Mike Pompeo addressed the American public about the Trump administration to stop all waivers on countries importing Iranian Oil.  There will be no more exemptions.  The waivers will expire on May 2, 2019.

"We have made our demands very clear to the ayatollah and his cronies: end your pursuit of nuclear weapons, stop testing and proliferating ballistic missiles, stop sponsoring and committing terrorism, halt the arbitrary detention of US citizens. Our pressure is aimed at ending these and others and it will continue to accelerate until Iran is willing to address them at the negotiating table," Pompeo said. 

Sarah Sanders, White House press secretary statement read, "This decision is intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero, denying the regime its principal source of revenue." 

While many countries support US Sanctions, it is apparent that China does not approve.  Spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang said, "China-Iran cooperation is open, transparent and in accordance with law, it should be respected." 

In addition to China, Turkey opposes sanctions to Tehran. “The U.S. decision to end sanctions waivers on Iran’s oil imports will not serve regional peace and stability,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted. 

Countries still importing Oil from Iran will no longer receive a waiver from sanctions. The Trump administration granted countries a waiver from sanctions to give them ample time to wean their countries off Iranian oil. Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates have closely been working with the Trump administration and have made assurances, that they,  "are committed to ensuring that global oil markets remain adequately supplied," the White House said. "We have agreed to take timely action to assure that global demand is met as all Iranian oil is removed from the market." 

Who will benefit from stopping waivers to countries importing oil from Iran?  According to Josh Rogin of the Washington Post, "Beijing is playing Washington and Tehran against each other and making a ton of money in the process." Rogin went on to lay claim that the number one importer of Iranian oil is China.  However according to worldstopexports.com, Iran supplies only 6.3% of crude oil to China.