With the May 12 deadline looming over the fate of Iran’s nuclear deal where US President Donald Trump will have to decide whether to continue to stay committed to the agreement or withdraw from it, Iran’s oil industry, which has just begun to enjoy a boost in exports following the lift of sanctions, seems to have made plans to fight off any possible loss should Trump decides to walk away and re-impose the sanctions that were removed under the landmark nuclear agreement.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh offered reassurances that his ministry will employ every capacity and experience to ward off any possible loss by the hands of Trump’s administration regarding the fate of the JCPOA.
“We have to wait and see what Trump will do,” Zanganeh said. “We will take all of our options into consideration, though.”
He touched upon rumors about giving discounts to India on oil sale, saying “we will do whatever it takes to counter Trump. We have not given a special discount to India. Of course it is possible that we would make changes in the prices due to the political atmosphere in order to secure our place in the market.”
Talks on the gas export project to Oman, he said, is progressing well; “we are at the stage where we can either call for tenders for the establishment of a sea line, or sign a contract with a foreign company for investment.”
MS