Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi rejected reports that Iran had withdrawn its candidacy in favor of Iraq.
He stated that Iran still vies with Iraq and Saudi Arabia to obtain the post.
He said that prior to the OPEC Wednesday meeting, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia had nominated candidates for the post but the member states did not reach an agreement during a closed session and thus they all agreed unanimously that the current secretary general Abdullah al-Badri remains in his post for another year.
The Iranian minister further announced that the organization agreed to stick to its oil production ceiling of 30 barrels per day.
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Iran categorically denied reports claiming that Tehran has withdrawn its candidacy for the post of secretary general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
News ID 183656
