Iran war forces US u-turn on Russian oil: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the US, despite “bullying India” to end Russian oil imports, is now begging them to buy crude from Moscow, two weeks after its war with Iran.
“The US spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia,” said Araghchi on Friday in a post on social media platform X.
“After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world - including India - to buy Russian crude,” he added.
This comes after, on March 5, the US issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil, having previously imposed heavy sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
Calling out Europe’s stance on the conflict in West Asia, the minister termed the war on Iran “illegal” and said that Europe thought backing an illegal war on Iran would win US support against Russia. He even termed the current stance of the Trump administration towards the purchase of Russian crude oil as “Pathetic”. Starting February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme. Iran’s retaliation escalated the war to the entire Gulf region.
Greek oil tanker damaged in Black
A Greek-flagged oil tanker was damaged in a suspected drone attack in the Black Sea while approaching the Russian port of Novorossiysk, authorities said. Greece’s shipping ministry said the attack occurred early Saturday, causing material damage, but the 24 crew members were unharmed and the vessel’s seaworthiness was not under threat.
The Maran Homer, chartered by US oil giant Chevron, was travelling from Thessaloniki in northern Greece to the Black Sea port and was due to sail on to Istanbul. It was struck by a missile or drone before picking up Kazakh oil, according to Greek Government officials.
Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias said Athens would lodge a “strong complaint” with the country deemed responsible, without giving further details. He later identified Ukraine as carrying out frequent attacks in the Black Sea.
“I consider the targeting of vessels flying the Greek flag - as well as those with Greek sailors and Greek shipping interests - to be unacceptable and extremely dangerous,” Kikilias told state-run ERT television. He said he believed the attack could be related to a US decision to temporarily ease some sanctions on Russian oil shipments because of volatility caused by the Iran war.
