The Iranian oil minister says Iran is self-sufficient in the oil exploration industry and sanctions have not hindered the country's progress.
"Iran has become self-sufficient in oil exploration," Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi told Press TV in an exclusive interview on Friday.
International pressure and sanctions have failed to hinder Iran's progress in this area, he added.
Commenting on the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project, the Iranian oil minister said that the deal is about to be finalized.
Meanwhile, the 15th International Exhibition of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries and Products is currently underway at the Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds.
Companies from Spain, Britain, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Vietnam are participating in the Tehran exhibition.
Mirkazemi said this year's exhibition has attracted more participants than previous editions of the event.
Representatives of 435 domestic and 907 foreign companies from all over the world have come to Tehran for the exhibition.