* U.S. exempts Japan after Iran import cuts of 15-22 pct
* Also exempts 10 EU states who imported Iran crude
* U.S. list does not include buyers China, India, Korea
* Japan a model for others, U.S. official says
* Twelve countries could face sanctions, official says
(Adds story link, background on South Africa)
By Arshad Mohammed and Andrew Quinn
WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) – The United States has
exempted Japan and 10 EU nations from financial sanctions
because they have significantly cut purchases of Iranian oil,
but Iran’s top customers China and India remain at risk of such
steps.
The decision means banks in the 11 countries have been given
a six-month reprieve from the threat of being cut off from the
U.S. financial system under new sanctions designed to pressure
Iran over a nuclear program the West suspects is intended to
produce weapons.
The list did not include China and India, Iran’s top two
crude oil importers, nor U.S. allies South Korea and Turkey,
which are among the top 10 consumers of Iranian oil.
Continued…
