Iran Accuses US Of Hypocrisy, Begging Global Buyers To Take Russian Oil
Iran Says US Now Urging Global Buyers To Purchase Russian Crude
Iran has accused the United States of hypocrisy over its approach to Russian oil, claiming Washington is now urging countries to buy Russian crude after previously pressuring them to avoid it. The criticism came from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who made the remarks amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Araghchi said the U.S. had spent months urging countries—including India—to cut purchases of Russian oil following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. However, after roughly two weeks of escalating war in the Middle East and rising energy prices, Washington is now “begging the world” to buy the same crude, he alleged.
The comments come after the U.S. Treasury issued a temporary license allowing countries to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded on ships before March 12. The authorization runs until April 11 and was presented as a limited measure to stabilize global energy markets shaken by the conflict and supply disruptions.
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Global oil markets have been under severe pressure since fighting escalated in the region, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for a large share of the world’s oil trade. Disruptions to tanker traffic and fears of supply shortages pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel in recent days.
The U.S. has defended the temporary waiver, saying it is designed to increase available supply and prevent further spikes in energy prices. Officials stressed that the move is narrowly targeted and unlikely to deliver significant financial benefits to Russia, which remains under broad Western sanctions.
However, the decision has sparked criticism from several governments and analysts, who argue that easing restrictions on Russian oil—even temporarily—could undermine sanctions aimed at limiting Moscow’s revenue from energy exports during the Ukraine conflict.
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