Seven countries given exemptions from U.S. sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector have stayed committed to alternatives, according to U.S. officials, UPI reported Monday, December 3. India, Turkey, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia and South Africa were given exemptions last summer from U.S. sanctions targeting the Iranian oil sector because of reductions in crude oil imports from the Islamic republic. Those waivers expire Saturday. Two U.S. officials confirmed that the countries have shown a continued commitment to the move away from Iranian oil. The 20 nations that import crude oil from Iran have all backed from Tehran as sanctions pressure increased. The International Energy Agency said Iranian oil exports, however, increased from a year low of 1 million barrels per day in July to 1.3 million bpd in October.