The US government said that tough oil sanctions on Iran would remain. The White House said in a statement that the existence of sufficient supply of oil in the market allows western countries to continue the status quo and avoid baying oil from Iran. The Associated Press said the US insistence on continuing harsh sanctions on Iran’s oil sector is at a time when the 6 world powers have signed an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program. AP cited US Secretary of State John Kerry saying that the US would actively continue sanctions on Iran during the next 6 months.