Iran’s Oil Minister, Jawad Oji, stated on Sunday that his country is asserting its rights and interests related to the “Arash” gas field and will not tolerate any violations thereof. Mehr News Agency quoted Oji on Sunday evening stating that his country has rights in the “Arash” gas field, which is shared with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This came during an Iranian session to review plans and projects related to shared oil and gas fields.
The Iranian minister emphasized that his country always supports the peaceful settlement of border and maritime issues with its neighbors. He added, “Regarding the exploitation of shared oil and gas fields, we always pursue the path of negotiation and understanding with neighbors. In the case of the ‘Arash’ field too, Iran wants to conduct a joint operation.”
Jawad Oji clarified that “If there is no desire for understanding and cooperation, Iran will include securing its rights, benefits, exploitation, and exploration of the mentioned resources in its work programs and will not allow any violation of its rights.”
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had previously agreed to accelerate the development and exploitation of the “Dorra” gas field, which Iranians refer to as “Arash.” Both countries reaffirm the call for Iran to demarcate maritime borders in the region where the field is located. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait express their desire to work as a team in any negotiations as they share a common interest in these resources.
In contrast, the Iranian News Agency in April 2022 quoted the former Deputy Minister of Oil for International Affairs, Sayed Mahdi Hosseini, emphasizing “the necessity of participation and cooperation between Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in investing in the shared gas field ‘Arash’/’Dorra'”. Hosseini also revealed Iran’s readiness to begin drilling operations in the field if Saudi Arabia and Kuwait do not cooperate in demarcating the border line, according to the Iranian agency.
