TEHRAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran's oil exports will not be affected if the European Union (EU) refrains from following the U.S. in imposing new economic pressures on the Islamic republic, Iran's petroleum minister said on Saturday.

"The U.S. decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal would not affect Iran's oil exports if EU could salvage the deal," Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told reporters after his meeting with the visiting EU's energy chief Miguel Arias Canete.

The Iranian minister called for OPEC member states to remain united in their upcoming decision to secure members' interests and market stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump decided earlier this month to quit Iran's nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive of Action (JCPOA), and vowed to re-impose sanctions, including oil embargo, on Tehran.

Iran has said that it will await EU's move to save the deal.

The EU announced on Friday that they are considering a package of measures to secure Iran's interests pertaining to the JCPOA.