The imports of oil and non-oil products have declined by eight percent during the first half of current Iranian calendar year, started March 21, 2015, it was announced on Monday.
According to Iran's Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, over 18.979 million tons of oil and non-oil products have been imported via ground and marine borders during the mentioned period, showing eight percent decrease compared to the same period the previous year, IRNA reported.
'Over 27 millions tons of oil and non-oil products have been exported via the ground and marine borderlines during the first half of current Iranian year,' the report added.
In July 2015, Minister of Oil Zangeneh said Iran will increase crude oil exports by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) after sanctions are lifted following the conclusion of nuclear talks.
“We will add 500,000 bdp to our oil exports after the removal of the sanctions. We will then raise this volume to one million bpd after six months,” he said.
Zangeneh has already called on other producers to make room for Iran’s barrels when production returns to former levels.
Iran exported 2.3 million-2.5 million bpd of oil before US and European sanctions targeting its energy sector cut the sales by half. Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iraq ramped up production to replace the Iranian oil.