US sanctions over Iran to intensify Mideast turmoil

BEIJING, Apr 23 (AFP): China warned on Tuesday that the US decision to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil will "intensify turmoil" in the Middle East and in the international energy market.

The White House announced Monday it was calling an end to six-month waivers that had exempted several countries-including major importer China-from unilateral US sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

"China firmly opposes the US implementation of unilateral sanctions and its so-called long-armed jurisdiction," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.

"The relevant move by the United States will intensify the turmoil in the Middle East and the turmoil in the international energy market."

In seeking to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, the Trump administration is targeting the country's top revenue earner in its latest no-holds-barred move to crush the economy and scale back the clerical regime's influence.

Eight governments were initially given the six-month reprieve on oil sanctions that had been imposed last year by the United States. The exemption will now end on May 02.

Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan-have already ended or heavily reduced their purchases from Iran.

The other three are China, India and Turkey, with Ankara vowing to defy the US demands.

For its part, China will "continue to work in order to safeguard the lawful and legitimate rights of Chinese companies," Geng said.

Japan's Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that Tokyo hopes to "exchange opinions with related Japanese firms and discuss necessary actions to avoid (negative) impact on energy supply in Japan."

India's Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted to Twitter that New Delhi would receive "additional supplies from other major oil producing countries," adding that refineries were "fully prepared to meet the national demand for petrol,diesel & other Petroleum products."

Meanwhile, China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its navy on Tuesday by showing off its growing fleet in a sea parade featuring a brand new guided-missile destroyer.

Under grey, foggy skies, Chinese President Xi Jinping stood on a warship to take the salute from 32 Chinese vessels, including submarines, and 39 planes off the eastern city of Qingdao.

China also took the occasion to unveil the Nanchang, a 10,000-ton class guided-missile destroyer.

Ships from 13 other countries including Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and India also took part in the parade.