EU Considering Moving Iran Embargo Discussion to Jan. 23, Diplomat Says
The European Union is considering bringing forward a meeting of foreign ministers to Jan. 23, from Jan. 30, that will discuss a possible embargo on imports of Iranian (OPCRIRAN) oil, an EU diplomat said.
Officials are checking whether all ministers can attend the earlier date, which is being changed so that the meeting doesn’t coincide with a gathering of EU leaders set for Jan. 30, said the diplomat, who declined be identified, citing government policy.
The U.S. tightened economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program on Dec. 31, and the European Union is weighing a ban this month on purchases of Iranian crude.
Crude oil gained in the last three weeks, partly on concern that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in retaliation for any further sanctions.
Hormuz, the waterway between Iran and Oman, carries about 20 percent of the world’s traded oil, according to the U.S. Energy Department.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ewa Krukowska in Brussels at ekrukowska@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stephen Voss at sev@bloomberg.net
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