Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Minister: With sanctions imposed over past 25 years, Iran not worried over possible new ones

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, March 15, IRNA
Austria-Oil-Sanctions
Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh said on Thursday that Iran is not threatened by possible new sanctions, adding that it has been under an economic embargo in the past 25 years.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the two-day OPEC session (March 14-15) in the Austrian capital Vienna.

In response to a question about the likely impact of sanctions on Iran's develpment plans, he said: "By providing incentives for domestic and foreign investment to various countries we have increased our capacity in various domains, including in the petrochemical and oil industries.

"We do have some plans for oil refinement which we will pursue seriously."

The minister said that Iran's general policy is based on extensive exchanges with the world countries, one of which is to supply reliable energy, adding that no change has taken place in this policy.

Whether sanctions will leave its negative impact on oil industry and the relevant projects, he told IRNA reporter, "We do not know what kind of sanction will be raised against us. Besides, we have not violated any law to expect an extensive sanction on behalf of the United Nations.

"Given the sanctions against our country over the past 25 years and the development projects implemented in the country, the procedure will continue."

Vaziri-Hamaneh left Tehran for Vienna on Monday night at the head of a delegation to attend 144th session of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) held at the Vienna-based headquarters of the OPEC Secretariat.

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