WANA (May 05) – An Iranian economic analyst and member of the Iran Chamber of Commerce stated that, contrary to recent claims, the country’s steel and petrochemical industries have not collapsed and are gradually resuming operations.

 

According to the report, Seyed Hamid Hosseini rejected what he described as misinformation about the condition of these industries, noting that recent narratives had created the impression that the sectors were entirely destroyed following enemy attacks.

 

He explained that both industries currently have sufficient reserves to meet demand until full operations resume, adding that several petrochemical plants are expected to return to production within the next month.

 

Hosseini pointed to the resilience of the sector, citing distribution and refining companies as an example. Despite damage to some storage facilities, they managed to maintain supply without causing public concern.

 

He also referred to the supply of 160,000 tons of steel sheets in the market, emphasizing that there is no need for concern over shortages. According to him, some steel producers with output capacities of up to 1.5 million tons are capable of compensating for any temporary disruptions. He added that rolling lines remain unaffected and rebar production units have not been damaged.

 

Hosseini acknowledged that initial reports may have caused concern about the availability of petrochemical products or delays in restarting operations. However, he stressed that some facilities will resume activity within the coming weeks.

 

In another part of his remarks, Hosseini discussed the withdrawal of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries by United Arab Emirates, suggesting it reflects underlying economic challenges. He noted that countries such as Indonesia, Qatar, and Angola had previously exited the organization.

 

He concluded that the UAE’s cost-free exit from OPEC could signal internal economic pressures, as for some countries, adhering to the organization’s production limits may not align with their national interests.