Iran's Oil Ministry has claimed that the country has started exporting gasoline, seemingly reversing a trend that has long seen it forced to rely on imports because of a lack of refining capacity.
"The first shipment of Iran's gasoline has been exported," SHANA quoted Ali Asghar Arshi, manager of international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company, as saying. "By producing [gasoline] in some petrochemical complexes Iran reached self-sufficiency in gasoline and will soon export more gasoline shipments."
Iran, the world's fifth-largest exporter of crude oil, has been forced to import up to 40 percent of its gasoline because of lack of refining capacity.
However, officials announced this month that the country had become self-sufficient in gasoline.
Outside traders have voiced skepticism over the claims.
compiled from agency reports
"The first shipment of Iran's gasoline has been exported," SHANA quoted Ali Asghar Arshi, manager of international affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company, as saying. "By producing [gasoline] in some petrochemical complexes Iran reached self-sufficiency in gasoline and will soon export more gasoline shipments."
Iran, the world's fifth-largest exporter of crude oil, has been forced to import up to 40 percent of its gasoline because of lack of refining capacity.
However, officials announced this month that the country had become self-sufficient in gasoline.
Outside traders have voiced skepticism over the claims.
compiled from agency reports
