TEHRAN - Iran has achieved self-sufficiency in the production of liquefied natural gas and will export the product in the future, Press TV reported Sunday, quoting an Iranian deputy oil minister.

Alireza Zeighami said Iran has stopped importing 800 tons of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from neighboring states every day, which it used to do, since it became self-sufficient in the product.

"Following the complete development... of Imam Khomeini Refinery in (the central city of) Shazand of Arak, 1,500 tons of LNG in excess of domestic demand is now produced in the country every day," he said, adding that Iran will be able to export its surplus LNG in the future.

The official said Iran is currently producing 12.5 million liters of LNG a day, up from 9 million liters in 2005.

Iran is expected to deliver its first consignment of LNG to international markets before March 2014, according to Press TV.