Iran Continues Developing Oil/Gas Industries Despite Sanctions : Oil Min.

Tehran, July 6, IRNA – Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said that despite the intensifying sanctions against Iran, development of countryˈs oil and gas industries still continues. Addressing the prayers on Tehran University campus during a pre-sermon speech on Friday, he added that 17 phases of the South Part are being implemented, five of which will become operational by mid- August. Currently, over 100,000 people are working in South Pars, he noted. Most of the equipment used in the oil industry are produced inside the country, said oil minister, noting that efforts are underway to make optimal use of the local experts. Stating that great work has been conducted in the fields, he evaluated the performance of the ninth and tenth governments as successful. Qasemi also said that Iran has enough oil and gas reserves for the next 100 years and the enemies cannot bear the situation to see such amount of reserves in the hands of an independent state. Elsewhere in his speech, he said ˈIt is true that the US has created numerous obstacles in the way of Iranˈs oil industry by imposing sanctions against it, but the country will overcome the problems through reliance on domestic experts.ˈ/end