By Country / Iran
Iran Has No Plans To Stop Exporting Oil
January 31, 2006
An Iranian oil refinery (file photo) (AFP)
Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh said the Iranian government draws no connection between oil and recent diplomatic moves to force Iran to abandon uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons.
Iran is a leading exporter of oil, and uncertainty over the nuclear issue has pushed oil prices higher in recent days.
At a meeting today in Vienna, the 11 OPEC oil cartel members said they will leave the current level of oil production constant.
The 11 OPEC members account for less than half of world oil output, but their pronouncements have an important effect on price.
(compiled from agency reports)