Dr. Osman Faruk Logoglu, a senior member of Turkey’s
Republican People's Party, condemning the US move to force his country to buy
oil from Saudi Arabia and UAE instead of Iran has termed the move “flagrant
violation of international law and sovereignty of nations to trade freely.”
In continuation of the US hostile policies against the
Iranian nation, the White House recently decided not to reissue waivers on
Iranian oil after these expire in early May. The statement went on to say that
the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have pledged to
ensure that the global market will have sufficient oil supply following
Washington's decision to terminate sanctions waivers for countries importing
Iranian oil.
Logoglu said, “The sanctions are illegal because these have
been imposed unilaterally without a mandate from the UN Security Council or by
any other authorized body.” He also said, that the US was certainly not
entitled to import Iranian oil or goods itself but has no right to stop others
from engaging in what is legal and proper.
Logoglu was of the opinion that the US effort to drive
Iranian oil exports to zero is not possible. There will certainly be
buyers of Iranian oil who will not comply with US sanctions. China has
already declared that its trade with Iran is legal and normal. Turkey has
also taken a stance against the US move.
The US decision is not likely to bring peace and stability
in the region, yet harm the Iranian people. Turkey has rejected unilateral
sanctions and impositions on how to conduct relations with neighbors.
Iran's exports might be curtailed for some time in the near future, but
in the longer run the volume of its exports could/should rise. Turkey expects
adverse reactions to the US decision to grow in due course of time that could
help Iran in selling more of its oil.
Logoglu said, “Iran is our neighbor. We have a broad
range of economic relations. Oil is one major element in the nexus of our ties
with Iran. The physical proximity is also an important asset as far as
Iranian oil is concerned. Given the state of our problematic relations
with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, there is no incentive for Turkey to buy oil
from them.
Logoglu, was very clear and said, “Even if Turkey reduces
its oil imports from Iran and starts looking for other sources, the alternative
for Turkey will be neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE. Current conditions
do not allow Turkey to turn in that direction. In any case, the US is not
in a position to dictate Turkey where it is to buy its oil from.”
