EU ‘definitely’ won’t impose oil sanctions

TEHRAN, Dec. 12 (MNA)-- Iran`s Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi that the European Union (EU) "definitely" will not impose sanctions on the country's oil exports as the measure will harm the global crude market. "Our policy is sustainable supply of oil to Europe ... Iran is a major oil producer and any sanctions on our oil export will definitely harm the global market," Qasemi told a news conference. EU leaders called Friday for more sanctions against Iran by the end of January, in an effort to increase pressure on Tehran over its disputed nuclear program. Iran is OPEC's number two oil producer, exporting 2.6 million barrels a day. "We have no problem to find a replacement for the EU oil market and we can easily replace the European market," Qasemi said. France, backed by Germany and Britain, has led the push to ban its crude, but some states, notably Greece, have expressed reservations, because of their reliance on Iranian oil.