Minister Urges IRGC's Stronger Role in Iran's Oil Projects

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi underlined the necessity for stronger role by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the country's oil projects.
"This base (Khatam ol-Anbia) should become the replacement for big foreign companies," Qassemi, who is also former Commander of the IRGC's Khatam ol-Anbia Headquarters, announced on Sunday.

Khatam ol-Anbia is an Iranian engineering firm controlled by IRGC. The firm is the IRGC's major engineering arm and one of Iran's largest contractors in industrial and development projects.

Qassemi further urged the base to expand its role in Iran's economy sector and said it should prepare the ground for the country's private sector on a stage-by-stage process.

The Iranian minister emphasized that the IRGC's Khatam ol-Anbia should give up small and medium works due to the involvement of the private sector in such activities.

On Wednesday, Qassemi was approved by an overwhelming majority in Iranian parliament as the country's new Oil Minister.