An Iranian lawmaker dismissed the US claims on cutting Iranian oil exports to zero by November and likened Washington's efforts to flogging a dead horse.
"Iran has been targeted by sanctions for years and always managed to sell its oil," Abdolhamid Khedri, a member of Majlis Energy Commission, was also quoted as saying by Oil Ministry’s official news agency Shana.
The lawmaker noted that a large number of petroleum ventures have been launched in the past, which were implemented during the sanction years.
Referring to the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war, Khedri said, "During the eight years of war, we managed to maintain our oil exports and oil production never stopped. In the current situation, the process will definitely not halt with the imposition of sanctions."
He reiterated that "the US says it will zero Iran's oil exports, which is not possible."
Describing the continuation of oil exports as a symbol of victory for the Iranian nation, the lawmaker said, "Through effective planning and management, we will prove that the US claim to stop Iran's oil exports is nothing but ludicrous."
Hossein Amiri Khamkani, another MP, said Iran will continue to export crude oil to the global markets "through diplomacy" and there will not be any problem selling the commodity for the country.
He said the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries cannot fill Iran's role with any other members, noting that global oil customers are aware that Iran's absence will quickly influence the market and begin an unprecedented trend in prices.
US President Donald Trump in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting the sanctions. Trump also ordered the reimposition of sanctions suspended under the deal. The second wave of sanctions aimed at halting Iranian oil exports will be enforced by Nov. 4.
