NIOC Chief: US Talk to Zero Iran Oil Export Is Hot Air

Rhetoric from the United States that it wants to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero is hot air and more akin to “political bluff”, the head of state-run National Iranian Oil Company said on Wednesday.
Senior US officials often say that their aim is to cut Iran’s oil exports to zero “to force Tehran to change their behavior in the region.” New US sanctions on Iran’s oil exports are set to kick in on Nov. 4, Reuters reported.  
NIOC head Ali Kardor said US President Donald Trump had been struggling for months to cut off his company’s oil exports. 
“The US president has done all he can and knows very well that bringing Iran’s oil export to zero is a political bluff,” Kardor said. 
The US administration has been pushing its allies to cut Iranian oil imports and is encouraging Saudi Arabia, other OPEC states and Russia to pump more oil to meet the shortfall. 
Kardor said Iran did not have any difficulty receiving payment for oil exports and could accept payments in euros instead of dollars if necessary. 
*** Counting on EU Backing
“There is no problem on this issue,” Kardor said, adding that with European support there will not be a problem. 
European powers have been trying to salvage a nuclear accord with Iran after the United States withdrew in May. 
The European Union said last month it was considering setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to facilitate trade with Iran that could be in place before November. 
European diplomats have said the SPV would create a barter system, similar to one used by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, to exchange Iranian oil for European goods without money changing hands. 
Kardor said Iran is scheduled to sign a new oil contract with a foreign company within two weeks. He did not provide details.