Iran’s Oil Minister: Still No Bids from US Firms
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Monday that the country has not so far received any bids from American companies for investment in the oil projects.
“The US administration has not prepared the ground for the presence of American oil companies in Iran so far,” Zanganeh told SHANA on Sunday, adding, “We have not yet received any bid from American firms.”
He made the comments on the sidelines of a meeting with Japan’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Daishiro Yamagiwa in Tehran.
Asked whether Iran would give priority to Asian or European companies for oil projects, Zanganeh said, “All international companies can compete for projects in Iran’s oil industry.”
Commenting on the meeting with Yamagiwa, the Iranian minister said they discussed opening new paths for Tehran-Tokyo economic and industrial cooperation.
Zanganeh noted that they also held talks on the presence of Japanese companies in the upstream sector of Iran’s oil, gas and petrochemical industries and ways for joint investment.
The Japanese official’s visit comes at a time of heightened international interest in economic ties with Iran following the conclusion of nuclear talks between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Iran and the six powers finalized the text of lasting nuclear deal on July 14.
Dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal would subject the parties to comply with a series of commitments, resulting in the termination of sanctions on Iran in exchange for certain restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program during a defined period of time.
Experts believe that Iran’s economic growth would rise remarkably after the final nuclear deal takes effect.
