Poland and German­y have suspen­ded import­s of Russia­n crude citing poor qualit­yLONDON: Brent oil rose above $75 per barrel on Thursday for the first time this year as quality concerns forced the suspension of some Russian crude exports to Europe while the United States prepared to tighten sanctions on Iran. Poland and Germany have suspended imports of Russian crude via the Druzhba pipeline, citing poor quality. US attempts to drive Iranian oil exports down to zero also boosted prices. The US this week said it would end all exemptions for sanctions against Iran, OPEC’s third-largest producer, demanding countries halt oil imports from Tehran from May or face punitive action from Washington. Consultancy Rystad Energy said Saudi Arabia and its main allies could replace lost Iranian oil.

Source: The Express Tribune April 25, 2019 14:29 UTC