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US extends EU, Japan exemptions from Iran sanctions

. AFP, Washington
The United States said on Friday it would extend exemptions for European Union nations and Japan from tough sanctions that recently took effect against any nation that buys Tehran's oil.
Under a law meant to pressure the clerical regime over its contested nuclear program, the United States bars banks from nations that buy Iran's key money- maker from doing business in the world's largest economy.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced she was extending for another 180 days exemptions first granted on March 20 to Belgium, Britain, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain.
"We have brought significant pressure to bear on the Iranian regime, and we will continue to work with our partners to ratchet up the pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations," Clinton said in a statement.
Clinton had also issued 180-day exemptions in June to major emerging economies including China and India after they begrudgingly cut back on Iranian oil despite their distaste at being pressured by US domestic law.
With the exemptions coming up for review, Clinton called on China to cut its oil purchases from Iran even more during a visit last week to Beijing, officials said.