Japan alert to growing U.S., EU pressure on Iran - The Mainichi Daily NewsTOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese government officials Thursday expressed their concern about the possible negative economic impact of increasing U.S. and European pressure on Iran over its nuclear development program.
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"We are not considering banning imports," a Foreign Ministry official said, indicating the Japanese government is cautious of stepping up pressure on Iran in any coordinated action in the immediate future.
Italy refuses EU plan of Iran oil ban - Tehran TimesFollowing Ankara and Seoul tries to continue importing Iran oil despite U.S. and EU pressures; Rome has resisted any immediate embargo on Iran oil, calling it as the oil supply shock.
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In an interview with French daily Le Figaro, Mr Monti highlighted the significance of any ban on the Italian economy, noting that 13 percent of Italys total annual imports of crude come from Iran, leaving it highly exposed to any oil supply shock.
Mr Monti added: An oil embargo will only be possible if it remains gradual and if there is an exclusion of deliveries that are aimed at reimbursing billions of euros of debt which Iran owes to our national oil company Eni.