Russia's second largest oil producer LUKoil issued an official statement on Wednesday rejecting the accusations of two U.S. congressmen that the company violated sanctions against Iran by supplying the country with petroleum products.
"In April of 2010 a final sale of gasoline to Iran was completed under a preexisting supply contract by LUKoil's trading affiliate LITASCO," the company said. "The non-existence of LUKOIL sales of refined petroleum products to Iran since April this year is consistent with the general rules of the international energy market in respect to sanctions on Iran."
According to LUKoil, currently none of its affiliates has a contract to supply refined petroleum products to Iran, and the company has been "mindful" of the international sanctions, which have presented "significant commercial challenges."
In June, congressmen Mark Steven Kirk and Ron Klein wrote an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama alleging that LUKoil was providing Tehran with "refined petroleum products."
Both Kirk and Klein urged President Obama to interfere, emphasizing the fact that LUKoil "has a significant business presence in the Unites States" and should be subject to the same regulations when it comes to dealing with Iran.
MOSCOW, Sept 15 (RIA Novosti)
