Iran continuing progress in oil industry despite pressures

Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi dismissed sanctions against Iran's oil and refining industries as ineffective, and said the country is paving its ways towards progress and success steadfastly and powerfully. Qassemi made the remarks in a ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday to commemorate Oil Ministry's martyred personnel during the 8-year Iraqi-imposed war on Iran (1980-1988). Qassemi reiterated that the Iranian nation will resist against enemies' pressures and embargoes similar to its strong and successful resistance during the Iraqi-imposed war. The oil industry made its best and most sincere efforts during the war period and now this fundamental industry continues moving forward firmly relying on the fruits of the efforts made by the martyrs and irrespective of the heavy pressures of the enemies, he added. Qassemi's remarks come as the US, Israel and Britain are pressuring the European Union to ban oil imports from Iran while many EU member states are on the verge of bankruptcy and cannot tolerate any higher oil prices. In relevant remarks earlier this week, Qassemi had also dismissed oil sanctions against Iran by the EU and other western countries, saying the world is in dire need of Iranian oil supplies. "Imposing sanctions on Iranian oil is not a wise move, and the market would pay a high price for it," Qassemi said, explaining that there will be no replacement for Iranian oil in the market. "I believe Iranian oil has a unique place in the market, and in terms of its volume and quality there is no replacement for it." Despite the recent talks about imposing sanctions on Iranian oil, European Union members have failed to reach a consensus in this regard. With some EU members heavily dependent on Iranian oil, a European boycott of Iran's energy sector looks impossible. While there has been mention of Saudi Arabia selling more crude oil in the possible absence of Iranian oil, Qassemi indicated that "the Saudi Oil Minister has completely rejected such an approach." Qassemi said his Saudi counterpart has vowed that if the western, specially the European, states ban Iranian oil imports, Riyadh would not replace Tehran as their source of crude supplies.