The Turkish Petroleum Refineries Co., TUPRAS, has decided to discontinue its activities in Iran's energy sector under the pressure of the U.S. Department of State.

Meanwhile, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said that the decision followed the privatization of the company.

“It was the decision passed by the TUPRAS’s management. However, the resolutions, related to fuel supply of the said nuclear power plants, bind us in legal sense. The U.S. itself has some sanctions regarding petroleum products. There is the trade of the private sector here. The private sector may continue its commerce or not. Turkey does not have any sanction or statement in this respect,” he said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the Ministry did not receive any information regarding TUPRAS’s termination of its operations in Iran.

Noting that Turkey always obeys the decisions of the UN Security Council, Davutoglu said Turkey is not obliged to abide by any unilateral decisions. “Iran is an important neighbor of ours and we have important trade and energy connections,” he said, Hurriyet Daily News reported.