Iran ready to increase oil exports to global market: Ministry
Iran blamed the US for the sanctions the latter imposed that prevent the Islamic Republic from contributing to lowering international oil prices amid rising global demand.
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An Iranian oil worker rides his bicycle near an oil refinery south of the capital, Tehran, December 22, 2014 (AP)
Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji said on Wednesday that Tehran is prepared to increase crude oil exports to global markets in the near future to meet increased demand.
Iranian information network Shana quoted Owji after the 25th OPEC and Non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting as saying, "World oil market undoubtedly needs a boost in Iran’s oil supply and we are prepared to swiftly increase our supply to the market."
If consumers are dissatisfied with current oil prices and supply levels, it is the US that should quickly lift "cruel" unilateral sanctions, according to the minister.
Iran, as one of the world's top oil and gas producers, is ready to step up in the face of a serious energy and gas crisis in Europe, according to Owji. The minister determined that in order to overcome the situation, big oil producers must cooperate and engage.
The 25th OPEC and Non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting took place via videoconference on Wednesday. OPEC member states decided to boost oil production by 400,000 barrels per day in March, as anticipated, during the meeting.
After former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a 2015 agreement to curtail Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for suspending US sanctions, the US reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.
Bagheri Kani: Necessary conditions for a "win-win" in Vienna provided
Iran's chief negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani spoke, in a meeting with members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, about the developments of the recent negotiations taking place in Vienna on the Iran nuclear deal.
Bagheri Kani said that the ground and the necessary conditions for a win-win situation were provided, yet the fulfillment of negotiations depends on the West's goodwill and seriousness.
He added that Iran has not held any direct negotiations with the Americans yet. Despite the positive and progressive negotiation process, there are "still important issues that need to be negotiated and agreed upon."
Bagheri Kani referred to Iran's right to lift all sanctions, pointing out that the second party in the negotiations had agreed to lift some of them.
The eighth round of negotiations resumed on December 9. On January 28, Al Mayadeen correspondent in Vienna stated that the Vienna Talks would stop for a few days for consultation between the heads of delegations and their capitals.
The Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, had confirmed a few days ago, in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, that Iran "has shown its will and seriousness to reach an agreement in the negotiation process." Raisi noted that "any effort by the other side in this regard should include the lifting of sanctions, verification, and valid guarantee."
