Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Mar 14: Iran on Saturday accused the United States of adopting a double standard on Russian oil, claiming Washington had shifted its stance after previously pressuring countries to stop buying the commodity.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had earlier tried to push India to halt Russian oil imports but was now urging countries to purchase the same crude amid rising tensions with Iran and disruptions in global energy supplies.

In a post on the social media platform X (Twitter), Araghchi alleged that Washington had spent months pressuring India to stop importing Russian oil but had changed its approach after the conflict with Iran began affecting energy markets.

He also criticised European governments, saying they supported what he described as an “illegal war” against Iran in the hope that such backing would secure stronger US support in their confrontation with Russia.

Araghchi shared his remarks alongside a report from the Financial Times highlighting how surging global oil prices were boosting Russia’s energy revenues.

The remarks followed a decision by the US administration under President Donald Trump to issue a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase certain Russian oil cargoes that were already stranded at sea. The move was aimed at stabilising global energy markets after crude prices surged amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Global oil prices had crossed the $100-per-barrel mark after supply disruptions linked to the conflict and Iran’s decision to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which a large share of the world’s oil shipments passes.

According to the United States Department of the Treasury, the temporary licence allows the delivery and sale of Russian crude and petroleum products that had already been loaded onto vessels before March 12, with the authorisation valid until April 11.

Earlier this month, Washington had also issued a similar waiver enabling India to purchase Russian oil cargoes that were stranded at sea, offering refiners limited flexibility to secure supplies during the ongoing crisis.

Amid the disruption, Iran has allowed Indian-flagged ships safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz despite wider restrictions on global shipping. An LPG tanker heading to India reportedly crossed the strategic waterway on Friday.

The development follows a series of high-level diplomatic exchanges between India and Iran, including conversations between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Araghchi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the West Asia region.