TEHRAN: In response to US threats, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the country can export as much oil as it needs, his official website reported, as the United States prepares to end sanctions waivers it granted to some importers of Iranian crude.
“America’s efforts in sanctioning the sale of Iranian oil won’t get anywhere,” Khamenei was quoted as saying. “We can export as much of our oil as we need and want.”
Oil prices hit their highest level since November on Tuesday after Washington announced all waivers on imports of sanctions-hit Iranian oil would end next week, pressuring importers to stop buying from Tehran and further tightening global supply.
Washington’s enmity will receive an answer and Iran’s people will not remain silent, Khamenei said, without elaborating.
The commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ navy said on Monday that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil conduit in the Gulf if Tehran was barred from using it.
