MNA � Head of Iran Stone Association said the country is home to 7% of the world�s mineral reserves, adding that Iran�s stone exports are destined for over 40 countries.

Malek Rahmati, head of Iran Stone Association, made the remarks in a press conference on Wednesday.

He added that there are 2.5 billion tons of building stones in Iran, adding �we have the capacity to produce as many as 30 million tons of building stones, but today, we are only producing 13.5 million tons, which is one-third of the country�s capacity.�

Stressing that the country�s mines cannot be put under sanctions, he said that Iranian building stones are exported to 42 countries.

�Iran exports 269,000 tons of finished stones to Iraq, and 110,000 tons to the UAE, which amounts to 65% of our total exports,� he said.

He added that the exports of stone blocks are destined for 44 countries around the world; �China is our major client by importing 812,000 tones of stone blocks, and France imports the least amount. Our total stone blocks exports stand at one million tons.�

He put the value of the exports at $161 million, adding �$140 million worth of stones are exported to China, while India, the UAE, Italy, Turkey, Iraq, Spain, Oman, Taiwan, and Malaysia are the next major importers of Iranian stones.�