"In the aggregate, Iran ranks 1st in the world in energy resources," said the Iranian minister of industry and mines.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) quoted Ali-Akbar Mehrabian as saying that Russia is number one in the world in gas reserves and Saudi Arabia is first in oil, but in total overall energy resources Iran ranks first.
The Iranian minister who was speaking to reporters at the reception ceremony of a delegation arriving in Tehran led by Li Changchun, a senior Communist Party of China official, said these abundant resources have created the potential for vast investments in Iran's oil and gas sector.
He said that Iran also has good potential in mines, for both inorganic metals and non-metals.
The minister said that substantial investments have been made in Iran's transport sector and he would bring up this matter in a meeting with the Chinese delegation.
He added that several meetings have been scheduled during Li's stay in Iran including a meet with the Iranian president.