Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday accused the United States of hypocrisy over its change of stance on Russian oil, saying the United States is now urging countries, including India, to buy crude from Moscow after previously pushing to end such imports.
In a post on X, Araghchi said: “The US spent months bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia.”
“After two weeks of war with Iran, the White House is now begging the world – including India – to buy Russian crude,” he added.
The United States spent months bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, the White House is now begging the world (including India) to buy Russian crude.
Europe thought that backing an illegal war against Iran would win US support against Russia.
Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/fbkrXpXa9P
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 13, 2026
His comments come after the United States earlier this month issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil despite sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine.
The minister also criticized Europe’s position on the West Asian conflict, calling the war against Iran “illegal” and claiming that European countries believed that supporting it would ensure US backing against Russia.
The Iranian minister also described as “pathetic” the current policy of Donald Trump’s administration towards purchases of Russian oil.
War tensions increase throughout the Gulf
The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran after days of rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The offensive came after Trump’s increasing pressure on Tehran to accept a new nuclear deal. Since then, Iran’s retaliation has expanded the conflict across the Gulf region, raising concerns about energy security and transportation routes.
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Oil prices rise, US weighs Jones Act exemption
As oil prices rise due to the conflict, the White House is considering temporarily relaxing the Jones Act, a century-old maritime law that allows only U.S.-flagged ships to transport goods between U.S. ports.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is considering a short-term waiver to keep energy supplies flowing.
“In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering suspending the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure that vital energy products and agricultural needs flow freely to American ports,” he said, adding that the decision has not yet been finalized.
Strait of Hormuz fears
Global oil markets have been volatile since the war began. Prices rose further after Iran threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
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Benchmark Brent crude remained above $100 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil also approached the $100 mark, reflecting fears of major supply disruptions.
