EU ‘definitely’ won’t impose oil sanctions on Iran

TEHRAN, Dec.12 (MNA) - Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said 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 pointed out. EU leaders called Friday for more sanctions against Iran by the end of January, in an effort to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program. Iran is OPEC's number two oil producer, exporting 2.6 million barrels a day. Qasemi added, "We have no problem to find a replacement for the EU oil market and we can easily replace the European market." France, backed by Germany and Britain, has led the push to ban Iran’s crude, but some states, notably Greece, have expressed reservations, because of their reliance on Iranian oil.