If oil diplomacy had a sense of irony, Iran’s foreign minister believes the latest twist would qualify. Tehran on Saturday accused Washington of hypocrisy over Russian crude, saying the United States is now urging countries to buy the very oil it once tried to block.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi criticized the United States in a social media post, claiming Washington had spent months pressuring India to stop importing Russian oil but is now encouraging countries to purchase it as the conflict with Iran strains global energy markets.
“The US spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia,” Araghchi wrote on X. “After two weeks of war with Iran, the White House is now begging the world — including India — to buy Russian crude.”
Araghchi also accused European governments of backing what he called an “illegal war” against Iran in hopes of securing American support against Russia.
“Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win US support against Russia. Pathetic,” he wrote.
The Iranian foreign minister posted the remarks alongside a Financial Times headline reporting that rising oil prices were delivering Russia a major revenue boost.
The Iranian foreign minister’s remarks come as the Trump administration on Thursday announced a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil cargoes currently stranded at sea, a move aimed at stabilising global energy markets after crude prices surged past $100 per barrel amid the war in the Middle East.
The waiver was introduced after benchmark crude prices surged above $100 per barrel amid supply disruptions caused by the war and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
According to the US Treasury Department, the temporary licence permits the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products that were already loaded onto vessels as of March 12. The authorization will remain in effect until midnight Washington time on April 11.
The move follows after 30-day waiver issued on March 5 allowing India to purchase Russian oil cargoes stuck at sea, giving importers limited flexibility to secure supplies during the ongoing crisis.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure was “narrowly tailored” and temporary, stressing that it was designed to stabilize markets and would not provide significant financial benefit to Moscow.
Despite the conflict, Iran has allowed two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported, citing four sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Tehran would ensure safe passage for vessels bound for India through the strategic waterway.
“Yes, because India and Iran are friends,” Fathali said when asked whether Indian ships would be allowed safe transit.
“We have common interests; we have a common fate,” he added. The envoy’s remarks came just hours after he indicated that Indian-bound vessels could receive safe passage through the strait within two to three hours, underscoring the longstanding economic and diplomatic ties between Tehran and New Delhi despite the broader regional turmoil.
Source: ANI