TEHRAN — Iran’s Oil Ministry said Saturday it generated $18 billion in oil sales during the conflict with the United States and the subsequent ceasefire, despite earlier claims by senior Iranian officials that exports had been halted.
In a statement posted on its official website, the ministry said it sold $11.5 billion worth of oil during the war and another $6.5 billion during the ceasefire that collapsed earlier this month.
The ministry said the sales accounted for more than 60 percent of the oil revenue projected in Iran’s annual budget despite the conflict.
The announcement contrasts with remarks made in late June by Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said Iran had been unable to export oil during a U.S. blockade of its ports.
The conflict began on Feb. 28 after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against U.S. allies in the region.
A ceasefire reached in April largely halted the fighting, but hostilities resumed earlier this month as Iran and the United States continued to clash over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
