Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 28
By Daniar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The US positively assesses the resumption of oil swap operations between Kazakhstan and Iran, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Hoagland told reporters Oct. 27 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
He said the US has not had any official statement in this regard, but it is a positive thing that there have not been any statements on the matter.
Hoagland added that one should pay attention to the positive development and not on the negative aspects.
He said the US hopes that in the end a solution will be found for the current situation between Iran and the United States.
Hoagland added that Iran will do as Kazakhstan, and abandon its nuclear program, and then the foreign investment will start coming to Iran.
There are already companies that are ready to come and invest in Iran, Hoagland said.
It should be noted that during a recent visit of the Iranian leader to Astana, it was decided to resume the oil swap operations.
Aside from that it was previously reported that the Energy Ministry of Kazakhstan, due to sanctions against Russia, is studying optional routes for oil exports other than the route running to Russia.
In particular, the Kazakh ministry said China is a potentially large market for Kazakh oil. Another alternative option is the one involving Iran, and the third is the exports though Azerbaijan.
Edited by CN