Political debate in Iran about how to reduce the country’s reliance on crude exports is gathering momentum ahead of presidential elections in June. Iranian oil minister Rostam Qasemi said on 7 January that western sanctions have cut crude exports by 40pc over the past nine months, while oil revenues have fallen by 45pc. The admission is a stark reminder of the economic challenges facing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s successor.
展开▼
