Under cloud over pipeline deal, Iran minister resigns

Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh, criticised recently for the gas pipeline deal with India, has resigned and a caretaker...

Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh, criticised recently for the gas pipeline deal with India, has resigned and a caretaker was appointed on Sunday in his place, Iranian news agencies said.

The reports in Iran, the world’s fourth-biggest oil producer, did not give a reason for the resignation but news agencies, quoting a letter from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said Vaziri-Hamaneh would become his adviser on oil and gas affairs.

The caretaker would be Gholamhossein Nozari, Managing Director of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Iran’s ISNA news agency reported.

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There was no immediate word on what, if any, impact this move would have on oil policy in the No. 2 producer in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Vaziri-Hamaneh’s ministry was criticised in recent weeks by a former oil official for signing a deal to sell gas to India and Pakistan via a pipeline at what was said to be a heavily discounted price.

The issue had prompted a debate among parliamentarians and other senior officials.

Even before the pipeline dispute, Iranian media had in recent months carried speculation that Vaziri-Hamaneh could resign. But those reports had been denied.

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The announcement comes when Iran is under increasing international pressure over its nuclear programme and faces the possibility of a third round of UN sanctions.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

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