US energy secretary to meet with Russian, Saudi counterparts

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry will meet with his Saudi and Russian counterparts from today, as President Donald Trump’s administration encourages oil-producing nations to keep output high before fresh sanctions on Iranian oil come into effect.

Perry will meet Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih and other officials from the Kingdom in Washington, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The U.S. energy secretary will also meet with Russian energy minister Alexander Novak on Thursday in Moscow.

After withdrawing from a nuclear deal with OPEC member Iran in May this year, the Trump administration is set to re-impose sanctions on the country’s oil shipments in November.

The US is also pushing oil consuming countries to cut their purchases of Iranian crude to zero, although some waivers are likely to be issued.

Some countries including India have already cut back on purchases of Iranian oil.

OPEC and non-OPEC officials will meet later in September to discuss proposals for sharing an oil-output increase, after the groups decided on a moderate production boost in June.