More nations exempt from Iran sanctions The Obama administration said on Monday seven more economies would be exempt from its Iran-related sanctions that come into force at the end of the month, but left open the prospect that China could still face sanctions. The state department said that Turkey, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, South Africa and Sri Lanka had all reduced purchases of Iranian oil by enough to be given a six-month exemption from the sanctions, which come into operation on June 28. Japan and 10 European countries have already been awarded an exemption. The US announcement came as tensions that have simmered in recent weeks between Tehran and world powers over the future of Iran's nuclear programme appear to have eased ahead of another round of negotiations next week in Moscow After several weeks of fierce diplomatic disagreements, EU diplomats said a more positive mood had emerged following a one-hour telephone call between Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, and Saeed Jalili, the Iranian chief nuclear negotiator on Monday night. "Iran has backed down from demanding an experts meeting ahead of Moscow and has done a lot to clear the air," said a senior EU official, following the telephone call. The EU official revealed that, in the course of Monday evening's phone call, Mr Jalili said he would engage with a detailed confidence building proposal that was put to Iran at the last meeting between the parties in Baghdad. At the same time, Lady Ashton said the EU and the six powers would consider proposals put to them by Mr Jalili in Baghdad, which may include a possible peeling back of EU and US sanctions and a recognition of Iran's right to continue some uranium enrichment.