Iran warns Persian Gulf states over oil embargo

Iran's OPEC governor says the neighboring Persian Gulf countries will be responsible for any consequences, should they agree to compensate for the Islamic Republic's oil exports in the event of Western sanctions against Tehran, Press TV reports.


“If our southern neighbors collaborate with the adventurous states by substituting their oil for Iran's oil, these countries will be considered as accomplices in future events,” said Mohammad Ali Khatibi in a Sunday interview, adding that Tehran will consider such “green light” to the West as an unfriendly gesture.

The top Iranian energy official noted that, should the Persian Gulf countries be prudent enough to announce that they will not participate in an oil embargo against Iran, the “adventurous” Western countries will be dissuaded from imposing oil sanctions against Iran.

Khatibi warned the oil-rich neighbors that any attempt to substitute Iranian crude is not a mere business initiative and it would mean entering a “very dangerous political game”.

The warning comes in the wake of the Tuesday remarks by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe who said unnamed oil producing countries would boost their output to make up for a planned EU ban on Iranian oil.