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Brazil, Iran at Diplomatic Impasse Over US Sanctions

Associated Press

   RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil is entangled in a diplomatic spat that could
   potentially damage a long-standing commercial relationship with Iran,
   which is the biggest buyer of Brazilian corn.

   Seyed Ali Saqqayian, Iran's ambassador to Brasilia, was quoted
   Wednesday in Iran's semi-official Fars news agency saying that Tehran
   could reconsider imports from Brazil if it continues to refuse to
   refuel two Iranian vessels stranded there.

   The ships have been waiting off the coast of the southern state of
   Parana since early June. Brazil's state-run oil giant, Petrobras, has
   declined to supply fuel because it says the vessels are under U.S.
   sanctions and it would risk significant fines for doing so.

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