US criticizes huge Iran-European gas deal
LONDON, April 24 (IranMania) - Irritated by the prospect of a huge European gas development deal with Iran, the Bush administration said Monday it will argue that such transactions undercut international bargaining power over Iran's nuclear program, The Associated Press reported.
Also Monday, the State Department said it has again asked Iran for information about a missing former FBI agent. The United States says it has no information to substantiate reports that Iran may be detaining the man, but spokesmen do not rule out that possibility.
The prospective gas development deal between Iran and an Austrian firm would not violate United Nations sanctions against Tehran, and the United States cannot block it outright.
"We question whether or not this is the right time to be handing the Iranians those kind of, at the very least, public relations victories," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
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Austrian firm rejects US criticism of Iran gas deal
Vienna- The head of OMV, the leading oil and gas group in Central Europe, rejected Tuesday US concerns about his company's plans to develop Iran's gas industry. Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, CEO of Austria's largest listed industrial company, told journalists that "of course we will respect all national, EU and UN regulations."
The United States expressed concerns Monday about OMV's plans for a natural gas project in Iran at a time when the Islamic state is facing international sanctions over its nuclear ambitions.
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the US will bring its concerns up with the Austrian government and OMV, even though UN Security Council resolutions do not prohibit oil and gas ventures with Iran.
OMV and Iran's National Iranian Oil Company announced a deal on Saturday that includes the development of some sectors of Iran's gas fields, a gas liquefaction plant and purchasing contracts for liquefied natural gas. At present OMV is involved in an offshore oil project in Iran.
According to Iranian reports, the deal would be worth 30 billion dollars over the next 25 years.
Support for OMV has come from Austria's government. Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik stressed on Monday that "no general economic boycott" existed against Iran.
"I see this deal also in light of energy security, that is an issue for all of us," she said at the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. OMV would "of course" carefully examine all aspects of the deal with respect to the existing regulations, Plassnik said.
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Washington Points Finger at Austrian Energy Firm
Austrian oil and gas concern OMV is under fire from Washington, where its planned investment in an Iranian natural gas field has upset diplomats. The State Department says the company could be indirectly supporting a rogue regime.
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Pertinent Links:
1) US criticizes huge Iran-European gas deal
2) Austrian firm rejects US criticism of Iran gas deal
3) Washington Points Finger at Austrian Energy Firm
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