Iran Mocks US Over Russian Oil Waiver for India, Says Washington ‘Bullying Earlier, Begging Now’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has criticised the United States for what he described as a dramatic policy reversal over Russian oil purchases by India, saying Washington had earlier pressured New Delhi to stop imports but is now urging countries to buy the same oil.

In a social media post, Araghchi said the US had “spent months bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia,” but after the escalation of the war with Iran, the White House was now encouraging countries, including India, to purchase Russian crude.

The remarks came after the US government granted India a temporary waiver that allows Indian refiners to buy Russian oil despite sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict. The move is seen as an attempt to stabilise global energy supplies as tensions in West Asia have disrupted oil markets.

Araghchi used the development to accuse Washington of double standards in its global energy policy. He argued that countries were previously threatened with sanctions for purchasing Russian crude, but the same imports are now being encouraged due to the ongoing conflict and rising energy concerns.

The Iranian minister also criticised several European nations, claiming they supported what he called an “illegal war” against Iran while expecting backing from the United States against Russia.

The controversy highlights the growing geopolitical tensions surrounding energy supplies as the conflict in West Asia continues to affect global oil markets and diplomatic relations between major powers.