Refineries in European countries are cutting off the crude oil they receive from Iran, closing off exports, which the US has sanctioned.

According to information provided by the company’s resources and processors, even though European governments have not imposed sanctions on Tehran by watching Washington, banks and insurance and transport companies have ties up with Iran, under pressure from US restrictions that make it difficult and risky to trade with Iran. A high-level source Saras refinery with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day in Sardinia Island, said, “We can not stand against the United States.”

“It is unclear what the US administration will be able to do now, but we can get away with it in practice,” he said, referring to how Saras thought that Iran would end its imports of crude oil within the 180-day period.

The sources said that the refineries, including French Total, Eni and Saras from Italy, Repsol from Spain and Hellenic Petroleum from Cepsa and Greece, are beginning to feel sanctions and are ready to stop buying oil from Iran. Most of the oil that goes from Iran to Europe is imported by these refineries. A decline in crude oil trade between Iran and Europe could force Germany, France and Britain, who are signatories to the nuclear agreement, to try to negotiate.

According to the European Statistics Office, Eurostat, crude oil sold by Iran to foreign buyers has risen to an average of 2.5 million per day in recent years. The biggest part of Iran’s exports goes to Asia. The processors said that Iranian crude oil could be replaced by Russian Ural and Saudi Arabian oil, which increased after the announcement of sanctions by the United States. Crude oil trade between Iran and Europe has increased dramatically since the heavy sanctions on Iran were lifted in 2015. Now that banks, insurance and shipping companies are moving away from Iran, Europe’s refineries have no choice but to stop buying oil from this country.