Iran says can make its own gasoline if sanctioned

Tue Dec 1, 2009 3:02pm EST

(Adds detail, background)

TEHRAN, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Iran would quickly be able to produce the gasoline it now imports if such trade is targeted by any new international sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday.

Iran is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter but lacks sufficient refining capacity and imports up to 40 percent of its gasoline needs.

This makes it potentially vulnerable to any sanctions targeting such imports, even though Iranian officials say the country would be able to cope.

"Sanctions on Iran's energy sector will not work ... In a week, we can produce the gasoline (ourselves) that we (now) import from abroad, if they sanction us," Ahmadinejad told state television.

Earlier this month, Iran said it temporarily boosted gasoline production by around 30 percent, a move it said was intended to show the West it could meet its needs for fuel even if Iran's gasoline imports were targeted by sanctions.

The West suspects Iran's nuclear programme is aimed at making bombs. Iran rejects the charge and says its atomic activities are aimed at generating electricity.

The U.N. Security Council has imposed three rounds of mild sanctions on Iran since 2006. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Christian Wiessner) ((Tehran newsroom, +98 21 8820 8770)) ((For help: Click "Contact Us" in your desk top, click here [HELP] or call 1-800-738-8377 for Reuters Products and 1-888-463-3383 for Thomson products; For client training: training.americas@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-223-5546))

Comments (0)
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.