US sanctions on Iran: Not only India, many other US allies may seek waivers

America's two closest allies in Asia are ahead of the curve: Both scaled back their purchases of Iranian crude to zero recently, but that may not last

When it comes to buying Iranian oil, Donald Trump has laid down the law for the world: Don’t do it.

Starting next week, the US president will have to decide how to deal with violators. His unilateral sanctions on oil purchases take effect Nov 5, and they’re supposed to present the world with a stark choice. “Do business in Iran or in the United States’’ is how Brian Hook, the State Department’s special representative for Iran policy, put it last month.

But despite the hard-line approach, it looks like there will be plenty of countries –- including American allies -- either in