News - Middle East: Figures by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have confirmed a rising trend in Iranian oil output last year despite sanctions imposed on the country by the United States, shows a report by Iran’s official IRNA news agency.

The Tuesday report by IRNA cited figures provided to the OPEC by secondary sources showing that Iranian crude oil output had reached an average of 2.4 million barrels per day in 2021, up 21% from 2020.

The figures showed that the rising trend continued into this year as output increased to 2.503 million bpd in January, up 21,000 bpd against December data.

Iranian oil output in 2021 was 10% higher than OPEC’s average production over that year, said the report.

The figures come against the backdrop of reports and official statements suggesting that Iran’s crude oil exports hit three-year highs in 2021 despite continued American pressure on the country’s energy sector.

Some industry sources have estimated that Iran’s exports rose to 1.65 million bpd in March 2021 while others believe that exports began to rise to over 1 million bpd for a first time in US sanctions  era in December last year.

The United States imposed sanctions on Iran’s crude exports in November 2018 after pulling out of an international accord on the country’s nuclear program.

Iranian crude sales hit a rock bottom in 2019 after Washington toughened the sanctions in May that year by cancelling waivers given to some major oil consumers.

The IRNA report estimated that Iranian oil and gas sector would grow by nearly 20% in the calendar year to late March 2023.

Source: Press TV