WSJ: U.S. to Allow Iran to Immediately Resume Oil Export Sales

June 16 (The Wall Street Journal) – U.S. officials and sources familiar with the talks told The Wall Street Journal that Washington will immediately waive sanctions to allow Iran to resume oil and fuel exports, an early economic concession aimed at easing escalating tensions. The oil sanctions waivers will take effect right after a tentative deal is signed later this week. Critical supporting services for oil sales—including banking, transportation and insurance—will also be exempt from penalties to ensure related transactions proceed smoothly. Nonprofit group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) reported Tuesday that an Iranian crude oil supertanker has departed Chabahar Port, crossed the U.S. maritime blockade, and exited the Gulf of Oman with its automatic identification system (AIS) activated. The group noted this is the first such move since the U.S. imposed its Gulf maritime blockade in April this year. A senior U.S. administration official told reporters Tuesday that while Iran will get an initial temporary oil sales waiver, long-term, sustained sanction relief will depend entirely on Tehran complying with U.S. demands, including guaranteed access to key straits and concessions on its nuclear program. The official added that Iran will not immediately gain access to the billions in overseas assets frozen by U.S. sanctions.