TOKYO (Dispatches) -
 Japan is considering resuming imports of Iranian crude oil for the first time in about six years, as U.S. sanctions on Iran have been temporarily eased, according to reports. 
According to Reuters, Iran is holding early-stage talks with three Japanese companies on crude oil exports following an armistice negotiation with the United States. A source on the Iranian side said three Japanese buyers are considering purchasing Iranian crude, and that government officials from both countries have also begun discussions on the possibility of oil trade.
The U.S. Treasury Department issued a 60-day temporary general license on the 22nd of last month, permitting the production, delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil. As a result, Iran can export crude and receive payment in dollars until August 21.
Japan was once one of the major importers of Iranian crude, along with South Korea, India and European countries. But it halted imports from 2019 after the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and reinstated sanctions on Iran. China has since served as the largest buyer of Iranian crude.
China has been Iran’s main buyer in recent years.
Any Japanese purchases would be a matter for private companies, a separate METI official said in June, but the person added it was unclear whether such deals would proceed given shipping times and existing contracts.
The official added that cargoes would be loaded at ‌Iran’s Kharg Island and use Japanese-operated tankers.
A senior Iranian oil ministry official said that Iran’s national oil company NIOC had approached traditional customers including Japan and told them that if a peace deal was concluded and sanctions were lifted, Iran would like them to resume their purchasing.