Hook’s ‘Unprofessional’ Behavior

Brian Hook’s meeting with the Saudi minister and remarks by US allies left impacts on the market and the OPEC basket price was down $1 to reach $60.08 on December 5.

The US and Saudi Arabia were seen to have come closer to their objective of agreement by OPEC member states to reduce output levels without any exemption for sanctions-hit Iran. The dominant atmosphere gave cause to such impression.

Known well for frankness and firmness in his stands within OPEC, Zangeneh reacted to Hook’s meeting with some OPEC ministers.

Upon arrival in Vienna, he said: “If Mr. Hook has come to Vienna to apply for US membership of OPEC, and this is the reason why he meets some OPEC ministers, this request is subject to review.”

“Otherwise, he has adopted an unprofessional, naive and meddlesome approach. OPEC is an independent organization and is not part of the U.S. Department of Energy to take instructions from Washington.”

Iran, Saudi Firm on Stands

The remarks by Zangeneh showed basic differences between the OPEC 175th Conference and previous ones. The oil war that had been triggered by the US and its allies was reaching its zenith on the day of OPEC meeting. Iran was not open to backing down from its position of being exempted from production cut. At the same time Saudi Arabia insisted that no country should be exempted.   

Zangeneh reiterated his position even when he entered his place of residence, saying: “Iran has always supported OPEC and its stances for market stability. But under the present circumstances and as long as sanctions continue, Iran will not joint any agreement on the OPEC oil output level and it must be exempted from any decision about output levels.”

Saudi’s Falih said all member states must become ready to join the production cut. He stressed that no exception would be applied.

Assadollah Qarekhani, spokesman for Energy Committee of Iran’s parliament, was accompanying Zangeneh in Vienna. He said: “Iran was faced with tough conditions at the meeting. Prior to the meeting, some countries had made arrangements to direct the meeting in favor of materialization of the US’s anti-Iran policies.”