S. Korea firms in talks to resume Iran oil imports

South Korean oil refiners are in talks with Iran to resume oil imports, officials said on Thursday, potentially by using Iranian tankers as a way to circumvent European Union sanctions.

Talks are currently under way with Teheran, officials of Hyundai Oilbank, SK Energy and Seoul's knowledge economy ministry said.

Imports stopped entirely in July when an EU oil embargo on Iran over its nuclear program took effect, banning European firms from insuring Iranian oil shipments.