During May 22-June 21, raw steel production amounted to 1.193 million tons. Production of steel products during March 21-June 21 reached 4.55 million tons.

The private and public sectors produced 1.295 million tons of steel products during May 22-June 21.� Steel production capacity is expected to reach 24 million tons.

Last year, Iran produced 14.89 million tons of raw steel. This is while, according to a report released by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Trade, steel production capacity in this period amounted to 30 million tons. Currently, 255 steel projects are underway in the country, of which 69 projects show a physical progress of 61-99 percent.� This year, raw steel production capacity is expected to grow by 5 million tons.

In June, Vajihollah Jafari, deputy industries, mines and trade minister, said the steel production capacity is expected to increase from 20 million tons to 24 million tons in the current year.

He noted that new complexes, including Pasargad Steel Plant in Fars province, Khazar Steel Plant in Gilan province and Natanz Steel Plant of Kashan in Isfahan province are expected to become operational in the near future. According to the World Steel Association, Iran was the second leading steel producer in the Middle East in 2010 after Turkey.

The main steel mills of the country are located in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces. The top raw steel producers of Iran are Mobarakeh Steel Mill, with approximately 47 percent of the market share, Khuzestan Steel Company with about 23 percent, Isfahan Steel Mill with about 20 percent and Iran National Steel Industries Group with approximately 10 percent of the market share.

Iran is among the 15 major mineral-rich countries and exports its industrial and mineral products to 159 countries, including Iraq, China, UAE, India and Afghanistan.