Iran Keeps on Selling Oil Despite U.S. Sanctions

IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK

First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri says Iran is still selling its oil despite U.S. sanctions on Tehran’s exports, adding that Washington’s “maximum pressure” on Tehran had failed.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 23rd National Exports Day, Jahangiri said, “Despite America’s pressure … and its imposed sanctions on our oil exports, we still continue to sell our oil by using other means … when even friendly countries have stopped purchasing our crude fearing America’s penalties.”

“They have failed to bring our oil exports to zero as planned,” Jahangiri said.

Addressing a ceremony, he added that two years has passed since the U.S. new wave of pressure on Iran and its economic war against the Iranian nation, but Iran is still exporting its oil.

He went on to say that even some of Iran’s close friends do not dare to buy Iran oil but the country is still selling its oil through different methods.

Referring to the U.S. sanctions imposed on Iranian oil sector and later on petrochemicals, steel companies, ports, insurance companies and banks, the VP said “today, we proudly announce that we are standing on our feet and the past two years were just a psychological warfare against Iran.”

“Iran’s non-oil exports increased by 16 percent during the first eight months of the present Iranian calendar year (starting March 21) and the country could export 88 million tons of goods,” he said.

He admitted that Iran is experiencing the worst economic condition since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, adding that the country is in a dangerous condition.

Jahangiri reiterated that the country is currently in dire need of unity more than before and urged economic activists and producers to come to the help of the country.

Meanwhile Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mr. Reza Rahmani addressing the ceremony said that expansion of exports is the main goal of the country as exports are driving force of national economy.

He went on to say that the government attaches special important to the private sector, adding that Iran’s Chamber of Commerce is the custodian of exports in the country.

He noted that the volume of exports has increased by 17% in terms of weight in the current year but it has decreased by 16% in terms of value.

Rahmani noted that the country is determined to double its exports to the neighboring states by end of 2020.

He also admitted that the country needs to create appropriate infrastructures like packing for exports. Rahmani added that joining Eurasia Union is a big chance for Iranian exporters and they can export more than 360 items of goods.