Reliance Industries Limited on Thursday rejected media reports alleging that it purchased crude oil of Iranian origin, terming the claims baseless and misleading, reported news agency ANI. In a statement issued in response to the reports, the company said, “We categorically reject recent media reports that the company has purchased crude oil of Iranian origin. These reports are baseless, leading to misleading and incorrect claims. We urge the concerned media outlets to verify facts before publication.”Earlier on March 24, news agency Reuters reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter that Reliance Industries, operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, has purchased about 5 million barrels of Iranian crude, days after the US temporarily eased sanctions on the oil. The report said the US administration had issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil already at sea. The waiver applies to cargoes loaded on vessels, including tankers under sanctions, on or before March 20 and discharged by April 19.Other Asian refiners, including Indian state-run firms, are said to be examining whether they can buy Iranian cargoes under the limited waiver window. However, a senior executive at China’s Sinopec said the company does not intend to purchase Iranian oil, the report said.
