World wants to sell us gas, Iran says

TEHRAN, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- International suppliers are lining up to sell gasoline to Iran as the country braces for possible U.S.-backed sanctions, Iranian oil officials said.

Mohammad Ali Katabi, Iran's governor at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, told the Fars News Agency that a number of global gas suppliers were eying the Iranian market.

"The rainy season has ended in most countries of the world and gasoline consumption will (as a result) slide to the minimum level," he said. "Thus, a large number of gasoline suppliers are vying hard with each other in a bid to sell their gasoline to Iran."

U.S. lawmakers sent a measure to President Barack Obama recently that prohibits companies selling fuel to Iran from U.S. government contracts. The measure is part of an effort to persuade Iran to step in line with the international community with its controversial nuclear program.

Iran on Monday announced it would enact an urgent plan to buffer the impact of U.S. sanctions.

Iran sits on some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world, though a lack of refining capacity forces the country to import 40 percent of its fuel needs.

The Fars report noted Venezuela announced Monday it was planning to hold a meeting in November with Iranian officials to discuss gasoline exports.