US plan to end Iran oil exports ‘a fantasy’: Rouhani

BERN: A plan by the United States to cut Iran’s oil production to zero is a “fantasy”, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday during his European tour to rally support for the 2015 nuclear deal.

Washington has said it wants to pressure Iran to change its behaviour by taking away all revenue Tehran generates from crude sales, part of the confrontational approach adopted by President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the historic nuclear pact in May.

“These are exaggerated statements that can never be implemented,” Rouhani told reporters in Bern, after holding talks with Swiss authorities on a range of issues, including the nuclear deal.

“Such a scenario would mean the US was imposing its imperialist policy in flagrant violation of international law,” he said.

“This is really a baseless fantasy,” he added, condemning an “unjust” scenario in which all oil producers are allowed to export crude except Iran.

Washington insists the world has enough spare oil capacity to replace Iranian crude, and Trump has said that he has persuaded Saudi Arabia to balance the market by boosting its own production.

The international community still overwhelmingly backs the nuclear deal, which opened new opportunities to deepen economic relations with Iran.

But many believe nations will have to sever ties once Washington reimposes sanctions — to avoid losing access to US markets and financing.