Iran says oil sales reached $18bn despite war and US blockade

Iran‍‍`s Oil Ministry said on Saturday that the country earned $18 billion from oil exports during the war with the United States and the subsequent ceasefire period, despite earlier claims that sanctions and blockades had halted shipments.

In a statement published on its official website, the ministry said Iran generated $11.5 billion in oil sales during the conflict and another $6.5 billion during the ceasefire, which later collapsed.

According to the ministry, the combined revenue accounted for more than 60 percent of the oil income projected in the country‍‍`s annual budget despite the ongoing crisis.

The announcement contrasts with remarks made in late June by Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said Iran had been unable to export oil because of a US blockade targeting its ports.

The conflict began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering Iranian retaliatory attacks against US allies in the region.

Although a ceasefire reached in April temporarily eased tensions, fighting resumed earlier this month as both sides continued to clash over control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.