Iran’s Oil Ministry says the country generated a total of $18 billion from oil sales during its recent conflict with the United States and the subsequent ceasefire period.
In a statement published on Saturday on the ministry’s official website, it said $11.5 billion worth of oil was sold during the war, while an additional $6.5 billion was earned during the ceasefire, which later collapsed earlier this month.
According to the ministry, the revenue accounted for more than 60 percent of the oil income projected in the country’s annual budget despite the ongoing crisis.
The latest figures contrast with comments made in late June by Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who claimed the country was unable to export oil because of a US blockade on its ports.
The conflict began on February 28 after US-Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks against US allies in the region.
Although a ceasefire reached in April largely halted the fighting, hostilities resumed earlier this month as tensions reignited over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
