Iran's supreme leader says US oil sanctions won't go 'without response'

Published April 24, 2019
This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him speaking during a ceremony involving workers in the capital Tehran on April 24, 2019. - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 24 called the end of oil sanction waivers by the United States a "hostile measure" that "won't be left without a response". The United States two days before announced it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers and will start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey if they buy Iranian oil. (Photo by HO /
This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him speaking during a ceremony involving workers in the capital Tehran on April 24, 2019. - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 24 called the end of oil sanction waivers by the United States a "hostile measure" that "won't be left without a response". The United States two days before announced it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers and will start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey if they buy Iranian oil. (Photo by HO /

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday called the end of oil sanction waivers by the United States a “hostile measure” that “won't be left without a response”.

“US efforts to boycott the sale of Iran's oil won't get them anywhere. We will export our oil as much as we need and we intend,” his official English-language Twitter account said.

The US on Monday announced it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to Iran's oil customers and will start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey if they buy Iranian oil.

In May 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal which had given the Islamic republic sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Washington reimposed oil sanctions on Iran in November but initially gave eight governments six-month reprieves.

Five of the countries — Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan — have already heavily reduced their purchases from Iran.

“They (the US) wishfully think they have blocked Iran oil sales, but our vigorous nation and vigilant officials, if they work hard, will open many blockades,” Khamenei said on Twitter.

“Enemies have repeatedly, in vain, taken action against our great nation, revolution... but they must know Iranians won't give in,” he added.

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