France will unilaterally stop importing oil from Iran as part of an effort to isolate Tehran because of its nuclear program.
“The interruption of Iranian oil purchases is among the measures proposed by France to its partners. We will apply this at a national level,” French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said on Thursday [Reuters, 24 November].
It was unclear whether France would act immediately or wait for a common EU position.
Last year, Iran supplied 3 percent of French oil imports, or 1.8 million tons, according to data from French petroleum industry body UFIP. This year, France is importing a modest 55,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude, Reuters reported.
France unilaterally started importing Iranian oil this year because Libyan oil was no longer available.
ReplyDeleteNow that Libyan oil is back, France is going back to that.
Sarkozy is just making a cheap show out of that. Typical for that empty suit.
someday soon, the world will all be willing to import Iranian oil without thinking that it's paying money that will be used by a repressive regime stained with the blood that its taken from Iranian citizens.
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:43 PM
ReplyDeleteThat's right if this rotten regime's oil exports could be halted it couldn't last more than a few months.
Not to worry. The lousy French will reconsider their boycott when they start to feel the real sting of surging oil prices in the coming winter months.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:41 PM
ReplyDeleteIf that were to happen, then EU's economy will collapse as a result of their boycott (see link below).
Europe Can’t Afford “Going Nuclear” on Iranian Oil
Saudi Arabia can easily make the shortfall.France or come to think of it Europe and the US don't need Iranian oil.
ReplyDeleteAs for China they better do as the world community says or else America and Europe would apply heavy tariffs on their products which will make Western company's who operate in China uneconomic therefore leading the company's to other greener pastures.
France/UK are doing this as a symbolic gesture to drag other EU countries into following..Italy's already come out against it as it's against their national interest..
ReplyDeleteFrance and UK don't even count as they daedbeat economies..Germany's the key here and so far, they're no fools to cut their noses to spite their face over a political issue based on lies..Let France and UK enjoy their isolation from the Iranian market..Others will gladly take their place - if they had any at all..