Iran looks to profit from easing of sanctions and chaos in Iraq

摘要

The election last year of Hassan Rouhani as President of Iran and the subsequent improvement in relations with the US and the European Union (EU) could mark the beginning of a transformation of the country's oil industry as it sets about increasing production capacity. The easing of trade and economic sanctions by the US and EU during the current negotiations over Iran's plans to enrich nuclear fuel has enabled Iran to contemplate an increase in oil exports, including to countries affected by the sanctions, such as in Europe. The fall in Iraq's oil exports following the occupation of parts of the country by forces belonging to the Islamic State (IS), (formerly known as ISIS), could provide Iran with yet another opportunity to supply crude to some of Iraq's foreign customers.