Oil tankers loaded with supplies for NATO forces wait to cross southwest Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing in Chaman (Stringer Pakistan Reuters, / January 2, 2009)
U.S. Officials Failed To Verify That Fuel For Afghan Forces Did Not Come From Iran, Report Says -- Washington Post
American officials in Afghanistan have failed to verify that fuel purchased for Afghan security forces in recent years did not come from Iran, which would constitute a violation of U.S. sanctions, according to an inspector general report issued Wednesday.
The report warned that “it will become more difficult” to make sure assistance to Afghanistan complies with sanctions on Iran as the U.S. military footprint in the country continues to shrink over the next two years. The United States intends to start giving a fuel stipend for Afghan forces to the Afghan Ministry of Defense in March, rather than directly supplying units in the field.
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More News On Iranian Oil Being Purchased For Afghan Forces
Iran fuel may be part of U.S.-funded Afghan supply deals: report -- Reuters
Afghan army fuel sales may have broken Iran sanctions -- The Hindu
Some fuel purchased by US for Afghan army may have been from Iran despite sanctions – report -- Voice of Russia
Turkmenistan sold Iranian oil to US -- World Bulletin
Is Turkmenistan Selling Iranian Oil To Americans In Afghanistan? -- Eurasianet.org
My Comment: I suspect that the reason why this oil was purchased was because it was the lowest bid (if no bribes were paid off that is). With not much money in the bank, it will not surprise me if Afghanistan starts to purchase Iranian oil (if the price is right) once NATO and U.S. forces leave. As for the Iranians, I am sure that they must be sensitive to the leverage that they have over the Afghan government on this issue, and will probably be positioning themselves to take advantage of this "leverage" once U.S./NATO officials have left.
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