Iran Taunts US Over U-Turn On Russian Oil, Says 'Now Begging World, Spent Months Bullying India'

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 11:38 IST

Iran's comments came days after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced a 30-day waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil cargoes despite existing sanctions.

With the Iran war entering its 15th day and a global oil crisis mounting following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran on Saturday accused the United States of double standards over Russian crude, saying Washington is now “begging" several countries to buy the same oil it had earlier tried to block.

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Araghchi criticises US and Europe

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the United States and European nations over the conflict. Reacting to a report by Financial Times, he said the US had earlier ‘bullied’ India to stop buying Russian oil.

“The U.S. spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world—incl India—to buy Russian crude. Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win U.S. support against Russia. Pathetic," Araghchi said.

Araghchi’s comments came days after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced a 30-day waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil cargoes despite existing sanctions.

Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had allowed Indian refiners to buy Russian oil that was stranded at sea and could consider allowing more barrels into the market if supply pressures continue.

“The Indians had been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did," Bessent said, noting that New Delhi complied with earlier US requests before receiving the temporary waiver.

Oil prices rise amid Strait of Hormuz closure

The waiver was introduced after benchmark crude prices crossed $100 per barrel. The rise followed supply disruptions caused by the war and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil shipping routes.

Iran assures safe passage for Indian ships

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali said India would be granted safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to a question about whether Iran would allow Indian-bound ships safe transit through the strategic route, he said, “Yes. Because India and I are friends. You can see the future, and I think that after two or three hours. Because we believe that. We believe that Iran and India are friends. We have common interests; we have a common fate."

News world Iran Taunts US Over U-Turn On Russian Oil, Says 'Now Begging World, Spent Months Bullying India'

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