ISTANBUL: The United States Sunday welcomed Turkey's decision to reduce its purchases of oil from neighbouringIran by 20 percent.
"I was encouraged to hearTurkey's announcement that it will significantly reduce crude oil imports fromIran," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a press conference inIstanbulwhere she attended a "Friends of Syria" conference.
"We certainly welcome that announcement," she added.
Turkey's national oil company Tupras Friday said it had cut its purchases of oil fromIranby 20 percent as western nations tighten sanctions againstTehranover its nuclear programme.
"Given the situation, it was decided following an evaluation to reduce by 20 percent crude purchases fromIran," the company said in a statement.
Turkey, which has been importing a third of its oil fromIran, is seeking to obtain an exemption from newUSsanctions againstIran.
Under a new law aimed at pressingIranover its controversial nuclear programme, theUnited Stateswill penalise foreign financial institutions over transactions withIran's central bank, which handles sales of oil.
Earlier this monthWashingtongranted financial institutions fromJapanand 10 EU nations exemptions, praising the countries for reducing dependency on oil from the Islamic republic.
Turkish officials said they would seek a similar exemption.
Iransays that its nuclear programme is meant for peaceful purposes, but a number of Western nations fear it is trying to build a nuclear bomb.
Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildaz said the country would try to make up for lower imports fromIranby buying more crude fromLibya.
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