TEHRAN, March 13 (UPI) -- Because of its vast oil and natural gas reserves, Iran doesn't need to import petroleum products from other countries, an executive said.
Jalil Salari, managing director of the National Iranian Oil Refinery and Distribution Co., challenged February reports that China had shipped gasoline to the southern Iranian ports.
"Iran is currently a major exporter of (various kinds of) oil products and does not need to import gasoline from any country," he was quoted by state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying.
Financial sanctions imposed on Iran as punishment for its nuclear program make it difficult for Tehran to do business in its energy sector. Also, saber rattling in the region has caused an increase in the price of oil.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Iranian lawmakers need to pursue a policy in which oil revenue is used "for the progress and economic might of the country," Press TV reported.
"It is necessary that we act in a manner that any decision making about our oil production and sales is up to us and based on our interests and of course we have taken good steps in this regard," he was quoted as saying.
