Iran will supply Lebanon with more fuel, if requested

Iran will provide Lebanon with additional fuel whenever the Lebanese government requests it, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said yesterday.

“Iran is determined to cooperate with and assist friendly governments. In this case, there was a request from Lebanese businessmen. The buying and selling process took place normally and the shipment had been sent,” Khatibzadeh said.

“If the Lebanese government wants to buy fuel from us to solve the problems of this country’s people, we will supply it,” he added.

The Iranian official’s remarks came a few days after four convoys carrying Iranian fuel arrived in Lebanon via Syria under an initiative by Hezbollah.

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The fuel shipments came in the midst of a severe fuel crisis that Lebanon is experiencing due to the inability to import fuel.

However, the import of diesel from Iran, which is subject to US sanctions, has been criticised by the Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati.

“I am saddened by the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, but I have no fear of sanctions because the operation took place in isolation from the Lebanese government,” he said.

The Lebanese authorities have repeatedly stressed that they are committed in their financial and banking transactions not to violate the sanctions imposed on Tehran.