Iran urges OPEC to protect independence

London, Aug 19, IRNA – Some countries are abusing OPEC for their political interests, Iran's envoy to Vienna-based international bodies said, urging the oil cartel to avoid being politicized As a co-founder of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), Iran has always played a vital role in creating unanimity among the members to help OPEC achieve its main goals, said Kazem Gharibabadi in a meeting with organization's Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo. He added that amid the current instability in international relations and energy market, it is vital for the OPEC to stay non-political, and not allow the few countries to pursue their political purposes by preserving its independence and professionalism. Gahribabadi said that OPEC should monitor the accurate implementation of the decisions made in the ministerial summit through encouraging members to avoid any interpretation contradictory to the decisions. Referring to Washington 'unilateral, illegal and illegitimate' measures following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, he said that the White House unilateralism had been condemned by countries and international organizations across the world. Iran and major world powers—the US, Russia, China, UK, France and Germany—signed the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehenive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 under which Tehran accepted to curb its nuclear program in exchange for some economic sanctions relief. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its latest report in May verified Iran's compliance with the deal for the eleventh time since the agreement was implemented in 2016. Despite the commitment, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal on May 8, 2018, calling it the worst deal ever. Washington has urged its allies to cut their oil imports from the Middle Eastern country by November. The US has urged Saudi Arabia to cover the loss of Iran's oil export. 'No member, under no condition, can take other memebers' quota,' he said, adding, 'Neither do the members' technological capabilities allow.' The Islamic Republic of Iran believed that OPEC should firmly support its members in the current situation and resist the plans and measures aimed at politicizing the organization, the Iranian diplomat said. OPEC Secretary General, for his part, affirmed that Iran had played a prominent role in OPEC and its vital decisions as a co-founder. He added that consulting with the OPEC members, especially the ones with close ties like Iran, was on the organization's agenda. The Secretary General also agreed with the Iranian envoy on the importance of OPEC independence. 'OPEC should remain an independent, technical organization away from politics,' he said.