Iran's oil exports have hit a monthly record volume in April since the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in January 2016, the oil ministry’s official news agency Shana reported Tuesday.
Iran exported 2.62 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in April, Shana reported.
The National Iranian Oil Company exported 2.88 million bpd of crude oil and gas condensate to European and Asian markets in April.
Sixty percent of Iranian oil products were sold to China, India, South Korea and Japan, while China and India alone imported about 1.4 million bpd.
“The record was gained amid U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to pull out of the deal that was struck between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries to curb parts of Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for eased sanctions on OPEC member's vital economic sectors,” Shana noted.
In July 2015, the EU and the P5+1 group of countries — China, Germany, France, Russia, the U.K. and U.S. — signed the JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, with Tehran.
The accord stipulated a gradual lifting of anti-Iranian sanctions in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear program and allowing inspections to ensure the nature of the program is peaceful.
Trump, however, threatened on numerous occasions in the past that he would withdraw the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions on the country.
Trump is expected to announce a decision on May 12 whether or not the U.S. will pull out of the nuclear deal.
By Firdevs Yuksel
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr