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Veep: Iran aiming to move from bypassing sanctions to eradicating bans
Speaking at a ceremony marking National Guilds Day, Aref said that despite the intentions of adversaries, sanctions have not brought the Iranian nation to its knees, IRNA reported.
“In the face of all sanctions and the West’s inhumane and brutal actions against the Iranian people, we have not only resisted but continued firmly on our path,” he said.
Aref acknowledged that sanctions create challenges for the country, but said the government, supported by the Iranian people and the Iranian Chamber of Guilds, will continue its course.
“Sanctions have not defeated the country, but we are moving from circumventing sanctions — which carries costs — to eradicating them,” Aref added.
He expressed hope that, with the experience gained by the government and national determination, the country can remove the sanctions.
Iran has been under Western sanctions for decades over its peaceful nuclear activities. Beyond affecting the oil and energy sectors, the embargoes have imposed costs even on humanitarian areas, including access to medicines.
Despite sanctions, the country has managed its oil output and exports. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Iran increased crude shipments — primarily to China — in 2022 and 2023. The country raised crude oil output by about 1 million barrels per day from 2020 to 2023, while exports to China grew by almost 870 million bpd during the same period.
In response, the US expanded sanctions in April 2024 to cover ports, vessels, and refineries involved in purchasing Iranian oil. These new sanctions allow for 180-day waivers “if restrictions interfere with US national security.”
Analysts say that if all oil sanctions were lifted, Iran’s crude oil production could return to its full capacity, estimated at 3.8 million bpd.