Iran’s Parliament is set to examine the motion to cut off oil exports to Europe, says Speaker Ali Larijani. IRNA reports that on Tuesday, Larijani told MPs: “Stopping oil exports to European countries is a vital issue that the representatives will examine carefully.”
He added: “The National Security and Foreign Policy Commission is now working on this matter, and it is absolutely necessary to give a fitting response to the irrational behaviour of Europeans.
Larijani made the statement in response to MP Javad Karimi Ghodoosi, also a member of the National Security Commission, who called for expediting the examination of the motion to halt oil exports to Europe.
He maintained that the motion had included a 10-day grace period during which Europe could reconsider its position on sanctions against Iran.
Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Ghassemi announced last week that sale of oil to certain European countries has been halted although he did not specify which ones.
On January 23, the European Union announced that it will boycott Iranian petroleum products, with no new sales contracts to be signed effective immediately. The boycott plan allows six months for existing agreements to be fulfilled. Iran responded by saying it will cut off oil exports to Europe well in advance of the six-month deadline.
Iran maintains that it has plenty of other customers for its oil and has denounced the EU and the U.S. for imposing sanctions.
That new wave of sanctions is said to be aimed at forcing Iran to halt its nuclear program. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and, as a signatory of Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, it is within its rights to carry on.
Yesterday, a group of Tehran University students gathered in front of the Parliament calling for the boycott of oil exports to Europe.
However, it appears that the motion will be delayed until after the parliamentary elections in March, since the MPs will not be meeting again until March 4.
