OPEC Chief: Iran’s Exclusion from Oil Market Out of Question
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said it is impossible to eliminate Iran from the international oil market.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran during a visit to the 24th Iran International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition on Thursday, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo underlined that Iranian oil could not be eliminated from the global market.
Asked about the technical possibility of ignoring Iran’s crude output, the OPEC chief said, “There is no need to repeat it. It is impossible to eliminate Iran from the oil market.”
Commenting about the assertion by two OPEC members that they will be replacing Iran in the oil market, Barkindo said the OPEC members make collective, not unilateral, decisions.
In remarks on April 24, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the US’ attempts to block the export of Iranian oil will get nowhere as Tehran will be exporting any amount of crude it needs and wants.
Describing a cut in Iran’s reliance on the export of oil as an opportunity, the Leader said such an opportunity will be used for further reliance on internal capabilities.
In April, the White House said US President Donald Trump “has decided not to reissue” waivers regarding sanctions against countries importing Iranian oil when the waivers expire in early May.
