US Treasury Secretary Claims Iran Unable to Sell Oil Beyond China

Washington (ANTARA) - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that Iran has yet to sell oil to buyers other than China following the issuance of a sanctions waiver, as potential purchasers fear possible negative consequences. The remarks came after US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Thursday (25/6) that Iran could now sell oil to buyers beyond China and receive payment in US dollars after the United States issued the waiver. “No other country besides China—which was already buying when the sanctions were in place—is buying it; so it is still being sold at a discount to China. So far, the Iranians have not been able to sell their oil because buyers are a little bit worried about whether sanctions will snap back or whether they will get in trouble with the Treasury Department,” Bessent told Fox News. He added that this situation gives Iran an incentive to negotiate with the US. The US Treasury Department issued a general licence for the sale of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products until 21 August 2026 on Monday (22/6), linking the waiver to progress made in negotiations with Iran in Switzerland.