Oil prices fell on Tuesday after Washington granted sanctions exemptions to top buyers of Iranian oil. lifting supply concerns and turning the market`s focus to worries that an economic slowdown may curb fuel demand.
Benchmark Brent crude futures were down 53 cents at $72.64 a barrel by 1243 GMT.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $62.80 a barrel. down 30 cents from their last settlement.
Washington gave 180-day exemptions to eight importers – China. India. South Korea. Japan. Italy. Greece. Taiwan and Turkey. This group takes as much as three-quarters of Iran`s seaborne oil exports. trade data shows. meaning Iran will still be allowed to export some oil for now.
Iran`s crude exports could fall to little more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in November. compared with a 2018 high of around 2.6 million. But that figure could rise from December as importers use their waivers.
China was given a waiver to import around 360.000 bpd from Iran during the exemption period. sources told Reuters.