Washington: Malaysia`s state oil company has suspended gasoline supplies to Iran, Prime Minister Najib Razak said here, calling on Tehran to review its controversial nuclear programme.
The suspension by Petronas came after Najib held talks with US President Barack Obama, who called for the world to move "boldly and quickly" on new Iran sanctions on the sidelines of a 47-nation nuclear security summit this week.
"It is a decision made by Petronas. They did consult with the government but they took the decision to suspend the sales," Najib told reporters in Washington yesterday as he wound up a four-day visit.
He did not say when Petronas stopped supplying gasoline to Iran but some reports said it was done in the middle of March.
Petronas is among a small group of non-Chinese oil companies supplying gasoline to the Islamic republic, which is the world`s fifth-largest crude oil exporter.
"We really want Iran to comply with the UN decision of the Security Council and we maintain our position that Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," Najib said.
"But they must earn the trust of the international community and the only way they can earn the trust is to be fully transparent in whatever they do and allow full verification by the IAEA and there are some serious doubt as to whether this has been carried out or has been complied with by Iran," he said.
Iran, a member of the OPEC cartel, has been hit by a dearth of investment in petroleum refineries due to US sanctions. It has resorted to importing about 40 percent of its gasoline needs.
PTI
