Chilean salt plains produce lithium. Chile has the world's biggest lithium reserves.
Last week, Iran joined the lithium race for phones, laptops, and electric cars with a massive deposit.
Iranian state television confirmed Mohammad Hadi Ahmadi's finding, according to CNBC.
Hamedan was Iran's first lithium supply, Ahmadi said. He claims 8.5 million tonnes of lithium.
If true, Iran has the biggest lithium reserves outside of South America.
Last year, the US Geological Survey estimated world lithium reserves at 89 million tonnes.
European and North American emissions goals have raised lithium prices.
Iran's discovery was reported by SFA Oxford's principal lithium analyst, Thomas Chandler.
Quality and extraction cost worried Chandler. These big numbers have many limitations.