Tehran, Iran, Feb. 27
By Mehdi Sepahvand – Trend:
The currently discussed oil deal between Iran and Russia is a relic of the years when Iran was under sanctions, when the deal was of high importance to Tehran, says Iran’s OPEC representative Mohammad Ali Khatibi.
However, at present the deal may not be as important because now Iran can freely sell oil anywhere and receive its money, Khatibi told Trend February 27.
Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak says Russia is negotiating daily purchases of 100,000 barrels of crude oil from Iran.
“The two countries are currently discussing the terms of a potential agreement,” Novak said February 27, adding he expected the deal to be reached “within weeks.”
Russia’s state trading enterprise Promsirieimport has been authorized by the government to carry out the purchase, he said on the sidelines of an economic forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
“Nonetheless, both countries can still gain benefits if they strike the deal. Russia is sure not to consume the oil domestically but to sell it where it is not economical for it to sell its own oil due to the long distances it would need to carry the oil,” Khatibi noted.
“Also, Iran would be able to import goods from Russia instead of being paid in cash in return for the oil.”
