US to exempt Turkey from Iran sanctions

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday announced that the US would exempt Turkey from financial sanctions in return for significantly cutting purchases of Iranian oil. The US which has previously announced that 23 countries also covering 10 EU members such as Britain and Germany would be exempted from the sanctions, included Turkey in the list as well. As a result, Turkey, as well as India, South Korea, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Taiwan will be exempted from the sanctions, which the US may impose as from June 28 in order to hinder Iran's nuclear program by cutting funding from its oil industry. Speaking to the Hurriyet daily, US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone, who was in Washington within the scope of the 31st Annual Conference of the American Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington, said that the decision of the US has shown the serious step taken by Turkey on the issue.