Reuters: Iran Seeks to Export 700,000 Barrels of Oil Daily

Iran has declared its readiness to remain committed to the JCPOA in exchange for “minimal oil exports.” A senior Iranian diplomat told Reuters on Sunday, August 25, stating: “We want to sell at least 700,000 barrels of oil daily and receive payment in cash.”

According to the Iranian official, this step could be considered a reconciliatory move and create a suitable environment for future negotiations.

CBS news agency reported, citing a European diplomat, that leaders of the Group of Seven failed in their Saturday evening meeting with Trump to persuade him to provide concessions or reversals regarding sanctions on Iran.

Iran is also prepared to make efforts to ensure security in the Persian Gulf and reduce tensions in the Middle East.

Iranian officials have again emphasized that they are not willing to negotiate over the country’s missile program. They also believe that limited uranium enrichment activities within the framework of the JCPOA are their country’s right. The minimum that Iran has stated for its oil exports is far less than the country’s actual capacity. For example, Iran exported approximately 2.7 million barrels of oil to global markets in May 2018.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, attended the final meeting of the G7 group on Saturday evening, August 24, in the French city of Biarritz and discussed the current crisis situation with the leaders of the seven countries.

It is said that the invitation to Zarif was only communicated to the leaders shortly before the meeting was held and surprised them, although later they evaluated it as “constructive.”

Members of the Group of Seven, except for the United States, are willing to preserve the nuclear agreement with Iran (JCPOA) and are trying to find a solution to the current deadlock despite U.S. sanctions measures.

Iran complains that three European countries are not making sufficient efforts to “save the JCPOA.”

According to Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, these countries agree on one hand that Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons and on the other hand wish to reduce current tensions.

Ms. Merkel emphasized that the invitation to Zarif “was not an initiative by the Group of Seven” and stated that it is necessary to “use every opportunity.”

The goal of the three countries Germany, Britain, and France is to reduce the pressure of American sanctions on Iran through initiatives and help Iran’s economy as much as possible.

The White House announced that Donald Trump was unaware of Zarif’s presence on the sidelines of the G7 meeting, but despite this, he did not object to it.

Zarif had no contact with the U.S. delegation at the G7 meeting.

During the margins of the meeting, it was stated that the United States is unwilling to reduce “maximum pressure on Iran” or reconsider its sanctions measures against the Islamic Republic.

Source: DW