India Considers Resuming Iranian Oil Imports Amid Sanctions Relief and Payment Challenges India is evaluating the feasibility of restarting oil imports from Iran, with officials emphasizing that the decision will hinge on technical and commercial viability. A senior government official stated that the country will assess the potential resumption of Iranian crude purchases following the United States' temporary removal of sanctions, which aims to alleviate global oil price pressures amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Historically, India was a major importer of Iranian crude oil, particularly Iranian Light and Heavy grades, due to the compatibility of these crude types with Indian refineries and favorable pricing terms. At its peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5% of India's total oil imports. However, after U.S. sanctions tightened in 2018, imports from Iran ceased in May 2019, with volumes replaced by crude from Middle Eastern countries, the United States, and other sources. The recent U.S. waiver allows countries to purchase Iranian oil at sea for 30 days, but the payment mechanism remains unclear. Iran is currently excluded from the SWIFT financial messaging system, which is critical for international transactions. Previously, Iranian oil purchases were facilitated through Euro transactions via a Turkish bank, but this option is no longer viable. The U.S. sanctions on Iran, which began in 2012 and were intensified in 2018, have significantly restricted Tehran's ability to conduct international trade, receive oil payments, and access foreign currency reserves. Analysts suggest that India could become a key buyer of Iranian crude, given its existing refining infrastructure and trading networks.#us #oil #iran #india #sanctions
U.S. sanctions 6 people, 2 companies that laundered $800 million in crypto for North Korea #North #people #Korea #North_Korea #sanctions
