Iran Not to Back Any Agreement Undermining National Interests: Oil Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said Tehran would certainly not endorse any OPEC agreement that would undermine the country’s interests.
Zangeneh talked to reporters prior to OPEC meeting and following a face-to-face meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih in Vienna, Shana news agency reported.
In response to a question on whether Iran would veto any decision regarding OPEC production increase, Zangeneh said, "I prefer to say nothing about this issue until the next few hours."
Asked by another reporter whether Iran's interests would be observed in a potential agreement after the OPEC meeting, Zangeneh said, "We will certainly not endorse any agreement that puts Iran's interests at stake."
He refrained from answering a query that Riyadh seeking an increase in OPEC crude output under US pressure, and said, "Ask this from the Saudi oil minister."
"OPEC is an independent organization, not an American one and does not follow orders from Trump," the Iranian official reiterated.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will meet on June 22 to decide output policy amid calls from top consumers to cool down oil prices and support the world economy by producing more crude.
