Iran's Oil Minister: American Companies Should Come So Trump Won't Be Upset

Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Iran's Oil Minister, announced Tehran's readiness to negotiate with all oil companies, including American firms, for participation in oil and gas projects. According to Shana news agency, affiliated with the Ministry of Oil, he responded on Tuesday, October 17, after a meeting with South Korea's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Kwon Hyun-mi, to a journalist's question regarding Donald Trump's concerns about the presence of European companies in Iran's energy projects. He said, 'Mr. Trump, why are you upset that Europeans are making money from trading with Iran? Why have you blocked American companies?' Trump, who on October 14 refused to certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, has repeatedly criticized European companies for their involvement in Iran's energy projects. So far, France's Total, along with China's CNPC, has signed a $4.8 billion contract to develop Phase 11 of South Pars, but several Western companies, including British-Dutch Royal Dutch Shell, Austria's OMV, Norway's DNO, Italy's Saipem, BASF, and Siemens of Germany, have signed several memorandums of understanding with Iran for energy development. Zangeneh stated, 'American companies should come to Iran and benefit so that Mr. Trump won't be upset. They themselves have prevented American companies from coming to Iran; we have no restrictions on cooperation and negotiation with American companies for the development of Iran's oil and gas resources, and we are ready to negotiate tomorrow if they want.' He further commented that 'there is no need for Mr. Trump to express such concern.' The U.S. President had indicated numerous disadvantages of the Iran nuclear deal and stated that under his new strategy regarding Iran, based on 'reliable' information he has received, he is unable to certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement. He also announced on Monday that he is taking necessary actions in this regard, and a complete termination of the nuclear agreement is a 'very real possibility.' However, the European Union, particularly Britain, France, and Germany, which were members of the negotiating team with Iran, have supported the JCPOA and called for its preservation.