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Erdogan vows to continue oil, natural gas trade with Iran
ANKARA, Sept 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
vowed Ankara would continue to purchase oil and natural gas from Iran despite
US sanctions in comments published on Friday.
The United States reimposed sanctions on Iran after pulling out of the
landmark 2015 nuclear deal, and says it aims to reduce Tehran’s energy sales
to zero.
“It is impossible for us to cancel relations with Iran with regards to oil
and natural gas. We will continue to buy our natural gas from there,” Erdogan
told Turkish reporters before leaving New York where he was attending the UN
General Assembly.
Despite this vow, Erdogan admitted Turkey faced difficulty in purchasing
oil since the private sector “pulled back because of US threats”, NTV
broadcaster reported.
“But on this issue especially and many other issues, we will continue our
relations with Iran,” he promised, adding that Ankara still sought to
increase trade volume with Tehran.
He previously criticised sanctions against Iran, insisting that they
achieved nothing.
Turkey and Iran have been working closely together with Russia to resolve
the eight-year conflict in Syria despite being on opposing sides of the war.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1418 hrs