Sanctions backtrack shows US out of step with the world

In a surprise move, the United States has said that it will likely give waivers to some allies that rely on Iranian oil supplies.

"We want to achieve maximum pressure but we don't want to harm friends and allies either," US National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Wednesday.

But the move also helps save face for the US just three days before the Nov 4 deadline the US set for international oil buyers to stop all their purchases from Iran.