According to IRNA, Seyyed Mohsen Qamsari also hoped that Iran’s oil exports will increase in the next month to improve its ranking among members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

He said “Taking the second place in OPEC is quite tough given the increase in Iraq’s oil output.”

He added Iran’s oil exports are about one million barrels per day.

Qamsari noted that several former buyers expressed readiness to resume the purchase of Iranian oil. Iran’s four key Asian oil purchasers have increased crude imports from Iran in recent months despite the West’s sanctions against the Islamic Republic’s energy sector.