Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zangeneh on Wednesday denied claims by an industry newsletter that it had boosted oil production in July.
"This is defamation. We have not at all raised our production to 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd)," Zangeneh said in parliament, although he confirmed that output capacity had risen.
The Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) reported Sunday that OPEC crude production increased by 220,000 bpd last month due to exceptionally high output from Iran.
"Iranian production in July increased to 4.1 million bpd from 3.75 million bpd in June, the highest figure this year and 548,000 bpd over its quota of 3.522 million bpd," the Cyprus-based newsletter said.
Zangeneh confirmed that production capacity has risen, but refused to give parliament a figure.
The minister was appearing before the chamber as MPs debated ahead of a vote of confidence in the new cabinet of reformist President Mohammad Khatami.
Several deputies criticised Zangeneh's handling of the oil ministry, particularly the buy-back deals signed with several foreign-based and Western oil firms, and called for him not to be approved by the legislature.
But Zangeneh defended his handling of the nation's oil affairs, affirming that he had "crushed" US sanctions on Iran. — (AFP)
© Agence France Presse
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
