Spokesman: Iran Ready to Sell Fuel to Lebanese Government
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Apart from the fuel shipments that Shiite business people of Lebanon have purchased from Iran, the Islamic Republic is also ready to sell fuel to the Lebanese government, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said.
Asked about the secretary general of Hezbollah’s announcement of fuel imports from Iran, Khatibzadeh said at a press conference on Monday that ordinary trade in the legitimate fields, such as the energy carriers, is customary and carried out under decisions made by the establishment.
“We sell oil according to our own decision and upon the announcement of demand from our friends,” the spokesman said, stressing that Iran would not stand idle to see the people of Lebanon suffer from the troubles masterminded secretly.
“We express readiness to sell fuel to the Lebanese government if it is also willing, in addition to the fuel that has been purchased by the Shiite business people of Lebanon,” Khatibzadeh stated.
As a country that has been slapped with sanctions for years, Iran is aware that certain countries are addicted to sanctions, the spokesman noted, referring to the American embargoes against Lebanon.
On August 19, Secretary-General of Hezbollah Seyed Hassan Nasrallah praised Iran for helping Lebanon cope with the shortage of fuel, saying the first shipment of fuel had undergone all the necessary stages and left Iran for Lebanon.
Nasrallah also warned the US and the Zionist regime that the ship was considered Lebanese territory as it set sail.
The secretary-general of Hezbollah added that it was not the only shipment of Iranian fuel for Lebanon, as more vessels would be departing for the Arab country.
Lebanon has struggled with severe fuel shortages for months, both to top up vehicles and to power electricity generators.
The Central Bank of Lebanon announced last week that it would stop spending roughly $3bn annually on fuel subsidies, the announcement sending tremors through the economy and encouraging distributors to hoard their stock, waiting to see if they can sell at higher rates later.