Brussels, 10/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Iran's Minister for Oil Rostam Ghassemi announced on Tuesday 10 April that Iran would no longer export crude oil to Greece, after halting oil sales to two Greek companies last week. Average daily exports from Iran to Greece in 2011 amounted to 100,000 barrels, i.e. one third of Greek oil imports. Iran is now under a progressive EU oil embargo to take effect on 1 July. On 19 February, Tehran announced a halt to crude oil sales to France and the United Kingdom.
At the same time, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underlined that his country will not be giving up its rights and does not fear western sanctions on oil, and that talks on Iran's nuclear programme will resume on Saturday 14 April with the 3+3. Iranian leaders have explained in recent days that they will refuse the resumption of talks being made subject to conditions. According to the US media, western countries may call on Iran to stop uranium enrichment at 20% and to close down the Fordo site. (CG/transl.jl)