New Delhi
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said two state refiners have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran in November, the month when US sanctions on Iranian oil purchases take effect.

“Two of our oil companies have made nominations to purchase Iranian oil in November,” he said speaking at The Energy Forum here. “We do not know if we will get waiver or not.” This is the first time Pradhan has spoken about India’s stand on buying Iranian oil once the US sanctions on Iran come into force from November 4.

He also made it clear that there was no question of going back on deregulation of fuel pricing despite the government asking state-owned firms to subsidise petrol and diesel by Re 1 per litre.

Later, talking to reporters, he said India has its own energy requirements which it has to fulfil. “We will be guided by our national interest,” he said.
IndianOil Chairman Sanjiv Singh said his company is among the two which have placed order for November. Singh said options for paying for Iranian oil are under discussions.