Iran Accuses US Of Double Standards Over Russian Oil Policy

Iran on Saturday accused the United States of double standards on Russian oil, saying Washington is now urging countries to buy the same crude it had earlier tried to block through sanctions.

In a post on X, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had spent months pressuring India to stop importing Russian oil.

Taking to X, he posted, “The U.S. spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world—incl India—to buy Russian crude.”

Araghchi also criticised European governments, accusing them of backing what he called an ‘illegal war’ against Iran.

“Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win U.S. support against Russia,” the post further read.

The Iranian minister shared his remarks alongside a headline from the Financial Times, which reported that rising global oil prices were significantly boosting Russia’s energy revenues.

The US announced a 30-day waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil stranded at sea after crude prices surged past $100 per barrel amid Middle East tensions.

The US Treasury said the licence permits the delivery and sale of Russian crude loaded onto vessels by March 12 and will remain valid until April 11.

A similar waiver issued on March 5 allowed India to purchase Russian cargoes stuck at sea.

Amid the disruption, Iran allowed Indian-flagged vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with an LPG tanker bound for India crossing on Friday.

The development followed diplomatic engagements between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the evolving West Asia situation.

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