Tehran, Iran, July 1
Trend:
Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh has indicated the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) should be used for oil exports revenue, as Iran does not intend to quit OPEC.
"I have no problem with reducing production, while the current issue in OPEC is unilateralism", said Zangeneh responding whether he agrees with extension of oil output cut, Trend reports citing ILNA.
"OPEC needs to make a collective decision via counseling. OPEC has 14 members that should review and decide over all issues," he told reporters in the first day of 176th Meeting of the OPEC Conference in Vienna
He went on to say, "OPEC has now become weak. I believe, if OPEC intends to stay active, it should make its decision internally and not follow instructions from outside.”
"At the moment, it's not only Trump's unilateralism that threatens the world; there are other manifestation of unilateralism. I think OPEC members will resist other approaches,” he said.
"Without secure of money transfer or depositing three to four million dollars or euro into the mechanism, the INSTEX cannot be accountable,” he said. "The oil export revenues should be transferred into it," he added. "There is no problem even if the reduce of oil output continue to extend for next three years, but whenever sanctions are lifted, we will not stop selling oil.”
"Sanctions are imposed on Iran, not on OPEC. Although some members say that OPEC is a non-political organization, it is used as a big tool against Iran,” he said responding to the question whether he wants OPEC make a statement on US sanctions.
The official stressed that currently, moment Iran is not officially selling oil to Europe, while he did not comment on whether the country will export oil to China in the next months.
"We should see who is profiting from tensions in the region. We want to live peacefully, but America and some neighbor countries in the Persian Gulf want to pressure us. The US has endangered the agreement and we want the world powers to remain committed to agreement,” he said
"We will not change our position because of the pressure. The first acceptable step is to lift sanctions against Iran, as this may bring serious changes,” said Zangeneh responding to whether he has a message for the US President.
"Iran will not leave OPEC, but I believe OPEC may cease to exist because of these processes,” he said answering the question whether Iran quits OPEC if Russia and Saudi Arabia unilaterally decide over OPEC policy.
" I have no problem to have discussion with Saudi Arabia, but we have not receive any request from Russia" he commented on the possibility of Russia joining OPEC.