Turkish April Iranian oil imports highest in 8 months

LONDON, May 3 (Reuters) - Turkish imports of Iranian crude oil rose to an eight-month high in April to average 140,000 barrels per day, shipping data showed on Friday. Turkey was importing an average of 100,000 bpd between September and February and in March slightly increased purchases of Iranian oil to 114,000 bpd. The United States gave several countries sanction waivers after they cut imports prior to the imposition of a tighter embargo last year. Prior to the introduction of stricter U.S. and EU sanctions against Iran last year, Ankara's purchases were averaging 180,000 bpd. (Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Alison Birrane)