Minister: Iran continues oil exports despite US maritime blockade

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has said the country continues to sell oil despite a maritime blockade imposed by the United States.

“At present, oil sales are continuing and reaching customers far beyond our territorial waters,” Paknejad told the online media outlet Jamaran on Thursday.

Paknejad acknowledged that sales volumes had declined after the maritime blockade was reimposed. He declined to provide further details, citing concerns that the “enemy” could misuse such information.

Earlier, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnaser Hemmati said Iranian oil exports had nearly ground to a halt due to the prevailing conditions in the region.

In mid-June, Iran and the US had actually signed a memorandum of understanding to halt hostilities. However, shortly afterwards, the two countries once again exchanged attacks.

On 12 July, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the US ceases its interference in the region. The announcement of the strait’s closure came after a fresh wave of retaliatory strikes between the parties involved in the conflict.

Subsequently, US President Donald Trump stated that his country would act as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also reimposed a maritime blockade on Iranian ports.