Iran Warns Gulf States: Substitution of Tehran Oil “Dangerous Political Game”

Iran Warns that Gulf States would be responsible for any consequences, should they agree to compensate for the Islamic Republic’s oil exports in the event of Western sanctions against Tehran.

Iran's OPEC envoy, Mohammad Ali Khatibi

Iran Warns that Gulf States would be responsible for any consequences, should they agree to compensate for the Islamic Republic's oil exports in the event of Western sanctions against Tehran.



“If our southern neighbors collaborate with the adventurous states by substituting their oil for Iran's oil, these countries will be considered as accomplices in future events”, Mohammad Ali Khatibi, Iran's OPEC envoy said on Sunday.



"If the oil production nations on the Persian Gulf decide to substitute Iran's oil, then they will be held responsible for what happens."



"We would not consider these actions to be friendly”, Khatib added.



Khatibi described the attempt to substitute Iranian crude is not a mere business initiative and it would mean entering a “very dangerous political game,” noting that the West's oil embargo against Tehran is leveraged by the Israeli regime.



The Iranian warning comes in the wake of remarks made by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe who said unnamed oil producing countries would boost their output to make up for a planned EU ban on Iranian oil.

“Other countries are ready to increase production to avoid an effect on prices. We have made discreet contacts in this direction. The producers don't want to talk about it, but they are standing ready," Juppe said last Tuesday.