U.S.'s Mnuchin says it will be harder for Iran oil importers to get waivers

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) looks at U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as they deliver remarks prior to their meeting, in Jerusalem October 21, 2018. Gali Tibbon/Pool via REUTERS

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday it will be harder for countries to get waivers on Iran oil sanctions than during the Obama administration and dismissed concerns that oil prices could rise, saying the market had already factored in the losses.

In an interview with Reuters in Jerusalem at the start of a Middle East trip, Mnuchin said countries would have to reduce their purchases of Iranian oil by more than the roughly 20 percent level they did from 2013 to 2015 to get waivers.