A support vessel flying an Iranian national flag sails alongside the oil tanker ‘Devon’ as it prepares to transport crude oil to export markets. IMAGE: Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg
Japan’s major oil companies are preparing to halt the crude oil import from Iran in October because Tokyo fears that the US can sanction countries importing Iranian oil, AFP reported on August 3, citing Jiji Press agency.
“We’ve been saying we will observe a government decision [on Iranian oil imports], but we can’t comment further as we don’t disclose information on individual trades,” a spokeswoman for wholesaler Showa Shell Sekiyu told AFP.
Japan is allegedly seeking to get a waiver that would allow it to continue importing Iranian oil. According to Japanese Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko, his country has been negotiating on this issue with the US since August. Nonetheless, it’s unlikely that the US will ease its stance on Iran and its oil export.
