Ankara is trying to convince the United States to allow refiner Tüpraş to continue purchasing crude oil from Iran despite ongoing sanctions, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said.
“Tüpraş is following the issue closely. The refinery is especially suitable for Iranian oil. We’re trying to convince the US side. Our negotiations are continuing,” he told reporters on Friday, according to the Hürriyet Daily News.
The US decision to end sanctions waivers damages regional cooperation and Turkey’s trade relations, Aksoy said. Last year, Washington announced sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil, granting eight countries, including Turkey, waivers for six months.
It said on Monday it will not renew those waivers and demanded that buyers stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. Iran is one of the biggest oil suppliers for Turkey, which is almost completely reliant on imports to meet its energy needs.