TEHRAN (Iran News) – Saying that several Western states are seeking division between OPEC member states, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called on OPEC member countries to preserve cohesion and unity.

Raisi made the remarks in a meeting with the Secretary-General of OPEC Haitham al-Ghais in Tehran on Saturday.

Considering the constructive interaction of OPEC members with each other as an important factor in the success of this international organization, the Iranian president added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always had constructive cooperation with this organization and wants to continue and improve the level and strengthen this cooperation.

Stating that the philosophy of forming OPEC is to support the rights of oil producers and prevent discrimination against them, Raisi expressed hope that the OPEC organization will be able to bring peace to the oil market in the new era of its activity.

Haitham al-Ghais, for his part, considered the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the founding members of the OPEC that has always had useful, effective, and constructive cooperation with this organization and its members.

“Iran, both at the ministerial level and at the technical level, has always acted to strengthen the cohesion and unity of OPEC members,” he stressed.

The OPEC Secretary-General also touched upon the latest situation in the oil market and said, “I hope that with the unity of opinion among OPEC members and benefiting from the support and constructive cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we will be able to bring peace to the market.”

Al Ghais arrived in Tehran on Friday to hold talks with Iranian officials.

During his stay in Tehran, the OPEC chief was to discuss the global oil market, the outlook of demand and supply, and the upcoming OPEC and OPEC+ meetings.

OPEC appointed Kuwaiti oil executive Haitham Al Ghais as its 24th secretary general on January 3, 2022.

With 30 years of experience in the global oil and gas markets, he represented Kuwait in multiple governing bodies of renowned international institutions, including the Board of Governors of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (2008-2014), and the Board of Governors and subcommittees of OPEC (2016-2021).

Al Ghais, who managed international and regional teams in different countries, including Kuwait, Beijing, and London, began his tenure as secretary general of OPEC on August 1, 2022.

Al Ghais replaced Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo of Nigeria, who died at 63, when he was in the final weeks of six-year tenure.