He further said that the country would not accept any specific figure for oil exports dictated by others, noting “we decide on the volume of oil exports by ourselves and will try to raise exports to the highest possible level” without giving any figure. 

On the upcoming OPEC meeting in June, Zanganeh told reporters that the meeting will review working issues on its agenda as usual.

 On on the gas price dispute with Turkey, Zanganeh said legal procedures were underway but no final decision has been made yet.  

In connection with Babak Zanjani’s debt to the Petroleum Ministry, the minister noted that the ministry in collaboration with the government has taken initiatives to sell the billionaire's assets. 

Replying to a question on the oil prices, Zanganeh expressed satisfaction with the current prices and told Wall Street Journal correspondent that Iran will do its best to raise oil exports.

Elsewhere in his remarks he said: Petroleum Ministry plans to bring online 4 phases of South Pars gas field through winter as it will follow raising oil production by 400 thousand barrels per day by developing the oil fields located West Karoun region.

Replying to a question by Argus correspondent on boosting production capacity, Zanganeh noted that the Petroleum Ministry needs as much as 50 billion dollars in investment in order to complete South Pars phases and to realize its oil production target of 5.7 million barrels per day.

According to Zanganeh, participation of a growing number of companies in the 19th Oil Exhibition implies that ‘great changes lie ahead.’