Sputnik - The launch of a new gas condensate refinery will allow Iran to fully meet its gasoline needs and export on a global scale in the not-so-distant future, according to the Iranian news network IRIB.


Last Sunday, Iran saw the launch of�the first phase of�the Persian Gulf Star refinery, which is expected to�make Iran self-sufficient in�gasoline production and will help the country become a major gasoline exporter, the Iranian news network reported.


When it starts full operations, the refinery's daily gasoline production capacity will reportedly total 37 million liters.

Speaking at�the opening ceremony, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, in�particular, that if it had not been for�the signing of the Iranian nuclear deal, also known as�the Joint Comprehensive Plan of�Action (JCPOA) "we could never have opened this plant."



In an interview with Sputnik Iran, independent energy expert Omid Shokri Kalehsar said that he does not rule out�that Tehran may occupy its own niche in�the world market of�gasoline within�the framework of�the JCPOA.
"After the inking of�the Iranian nuclear deal and the subsequent partial lifting of�sanctions, Tehran gradually began building up�its capacity to�produce oil and gas. In this vein, the launch of�the first phase of�the Persian Gulf Star refinery attended by�President Rouhani is one of�the goals of�the JCPOA's implementation," he said.


Kalehsar specifically underscored the significance of�Iran meeting domestic gasoline demands before�trying to�foray into�international markets.
"This is important because after�the lifting of�sanctions, Iran should, at�least, regain its niche in�the international oil and gas market. Therefore, the launch of�a new refinery is aimed at�gaining independence and getting rid of�gasoline imports from�other countries," he pointed out.


Kalehsar recalled that the implementation of�the first phase of�the Persian Gulf Star refinery, which was conducted by�Iranian specialists, started in�1996 but�was then hit by�anti-Iranian sanctions slapped by�the international community under�US pressure through�the UN Security Council.

The sanctions prevented Iran from�exporting the equipment necessary for�the implementation of�the Persian Gulf Star project, according to�Kalehsar.
"But it is important to�emphasize that the main wealth is in�terms of�human resources, namely, trained and experienced personnel rather than�equipment. And Iran has this wealth. This will easily help Iran enter the global gasoline export market in�the future," he concluded.


Meanwhile, Iran implemented a bevy of�retaliatory sanctions against�a number of�prominent US companies in�late March.

This punitive measure is apparently meant to�show Washington that Tehran will not bow in�the face of�a host of�sanctions imposed against�the Islamic Republic.

The sanctions imposed by�Tehran target 15 American companies primarily engaged in�defense work, including BENI Tal, United Technologies Produces, RAYTHEON, ITT Corporation, Re/Max Real Estate, Oshkosh Corporation, Magnum Research Inc, Kahr Arms, M7 Aerospace, Lewis Machine and Tool Company, Daniel Defense, Bushmaster Firearms International, O.F Mossberg & Sons and H-S Precision Inc.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also condemned "the recent measure taken by�the United States administration to�impose one-sided extraterritorial sanctions against�Iranian and non-Iranian individuals and institutions."

The ministry argued that the US sanctions were "based on�fabricated and illegitimate pretexts and amount to�a move against�the international regulations as�well as�the word and spirit of�the Joint Comprehensive Plan of�Action."