Moscow - RIA Novosti
Iran\'s crude steel production has doubled over a five-year period, Industry Minister Mehdi Qazanfari said on Friday, according to Iran Press TV. The country\'s steel output reached 20 million tons in 2010 from 10 million tons in 2005, he said, adding it was due to rise to 43 million tons by 2013. Iran currently imports about 5 million tons of steel a year, Qazanfari said. According to the World Steel Association (WSA), Iran was the second largest steel producer in the Middle East in 2010 after Turkey.