US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Thursday that Washington’s policy on Iranian oil sanctions remains the same and there will be no exemptions for any country.
The US ended oil sanctions waivers for countries that were still purchasing Iranian oil in May, giving them time to wean off Tehran’s supply and obtain other sources of oil after reinstating sanctions back in November.
“We’re going to zero, and of course, there are no extensions of these waivers and that remains our policy,” Ortagus said.
She stressed that Arab and Gulf unity against Iran is essential to confront it and guarantee a prosperous future for the Gulf.
Ortagus continued that the US was not seeking war, but wants Iran to change its behavior, stop supporting terrorism in the region and quit imposing its influence in Beirut, Damascus, and Sanaa.
Officials at the State Department pointed out that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was clear in determining the way to Iran through 12 conditions, which demand a basic change in its policy.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Ortagus said that Iran is cutting the number of Hezbollah fighters in Syria due to the US economic sanctions.
She added, Washington’s “maximum pressure campaign” against Iran “is working” and it will continue until Tehran is willing to reach “a comprehensive new deal.”
Ortagus then went on to bring examples of how US sanctions have denied funds for Iran resulting in financial limitations to Tehran’s proxies in the region.
She also welcomed the convening of an emergency meeting of Gulf state leaders in Saudi Arabia aimed at discussing Iranian threats to the region.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz told an emergency Arab summit on Friday that decisive action was needed to stop Iranian escalations.