Washington - Today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Senator Menendez (D-NJ) to inform him that the US Department of State would be granting an exemption from sanctions to 10 EU countries (Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Japan because of these nations significant reductions in petroleum purchases from Iran. As the author of the sanctions, Senator Menendez (D-NJ) released the following statement in support of the Secretary's decision and applauded the actions of our friends and allies in the EU and Japan for their forthright and expedient action:

"Earlier today Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called me to let me know that the Department will be granting an exemption from sanctions to 10 EU countries and Japan because of their significant reductions in petroleum purchases from Iran in recent months and plan to further reduce such purchases going forward. As the author of the sanctions, I support the Secretary's decision and applaud the actions of our friends and allies in the EU and Japan for their forthright and expedient action."

"The sanctions are working. Countries and companies are stepping up in recognition of the real threat that Iran poses to its neighbors and the global community and are terminating business relationships with Iran,on Saturday, SWIFT - the financial messaging service provider -cutoff services to the Central Bank of Iran and 30 designated Iranian banks, and as a result -- for the first time -- we are seeing a real impact on the Iranian economy."

"Since President Obama signed the NDAA on December 31, we have seen Iran's currency plummet and oil shipments in fall to a ten-year low. I think our message to Iran is clear - we are serious about this sanctions regime. It is up to the Iranians to determine what they value more, their nuclear program or the political and economic stability of their state."

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