*EPF205 07/01/2003
Text: U.S. Opposes Japanese Investment in Iranian Oil Field
(June 30 State Department statement) (240)

Following is the text of a State Department response to a question on Japanese investment in an Iranian oil field. The question was taken at the June 30 regular State Department briefing; an answer was posted later in the day:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 30, 2003

QUESTION TAKEN AT JUNE 30, 2003 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

Japan Investment in Iran Oil Field

Question: Is the United States pressuring Japan not to conclude an agreement to invest in Iran's Azadegan Oil Field?

Answer: Given our deep concerns about Iran's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and support for terrorism, we have long had a policy of opposition to investment in Iran's petroleum sector. Moreover, the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act, which provides for sanctions in the case of certain such investments, remains U.S. law.

We would be opposed to such investment at any time, but it is certainly true that given recent revelations about Iran's nuclear programs, and efforts being made through the International Atomic Energy Agency to deal with the threat Iran poses, this would be a particularly unfortunate time to go forward with major new oil and gas deals.

Our concerns about Iranian policies and actions, and about oil and gas investment there, are matters that regularly figure in our diplomatic exchanges. We have no comment on discussions with particular governments.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents