US not even hiding its desire to make the world bend to its will: Russia

Published April 24, 2019
Russia says that “Washington is not even hiding its desire to make the world bend to its will,” branding the heightened Iran sanctions “disturbing”. — AFP/File
Russia says that “Washington is not even hiding its desire to make the world bend to its will,” branding the heightened Iran sanctions “disturbing”. — AFP/File

Russia on Tuesday called the US tightening of oil sanctions on Iran an “aggressive and reckless” policy after Washington announced it was seeking to stop all exports of Iranian crude.

“Such a course of action adds nothing to the Americans' international standing,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The rest of the world perfectly understands that Washington's policy is becoming more and more aggressive and reckless,” it said.

The ministry said that “Washington is not even hiding its desire to make the world bend to its will,” branding the heightened Iran sanctions “disturbing”.

The United States on Monday announced that, in a bid to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, it would from May 2 end US waivers that countries such as India, China, South Korea and Turkey currently have on buying Iranian crude.

The move targets the Islamic Republic's main economic earner and adds to sanctions pressure that has built up under US President Donald Trump, who has pulled his country out of a 2015 international deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme.

Russia, which is allied with Iran in Syria, praised Tehran's “restraint” over “the arrogant American provocations”.

It called for all parties “with common sense” to do what they can to ensure the accord over Iran's nuclear activities survives.

Trump's decision to do away with the waivers has seen global oil prices rise, along with commercial tensions with China and India.

Opinion

Editorial

Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...