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.

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