US Energy Security Policy Gives Iran Less Negotiating Leverage

Iran is an important player in the world energy market, both for its vast oil and natural gas reserves and for its significant energy consumption. But US sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program have crippled the country’s energy production and exports in recent years.

While Iran’s stagnating infrastructure and inability to sell freely to world markets has left it struggling to meet the energy needs of its own people and its few remaining international customers, the United States has transformed itself from a major importer to a net exporter of petroleum products.

As Iran and the United States have moved in opposite directions in terms of energy security over the past 18 years, Tehran has seen its “negotiating power” with Washington diminish, the collaborative initiative Iran Open Data said in article published on March 30.