TEHRAN – Iran’s oil minister dismissed concerns that potential U.S. dealings with buyers of Iranian crude could undermine Tehran’s oil sales or revenues, saying the country remains in control of its export strategy.

Mohsen Paknejad said worries that global oil prices could fall following U.S. moves to seize Venezuelan oil, pushing Iran’s selling price below budget assumptions, were misplaced.

“The oil market is dynamic,” Paknejad was quoted as saying by state broadcaster IRIB.

He added that base prices are set using global benchmarks that are outside Iran’s control and depend on external variables.

He said Iran adjusts to market changes and coordinates closely with end buyers through negotiations that take operational costs into account, noting that supply conditions and demand volumes also shift seasonally.

“Different indicators affect pricing, and our colleagues take all of them into account to secure the best possible selling price,” the minister said.

Responding to concerns that the United States, having access to Venezuelan oil, might seek to strike deals with Iran’s regular customers such as China, Paknejad said there was no cause for concern.

“We have full command of our area of work, and there is no need to worry about these issues,” he said.

EF/MA