Iran Warns Japan of Move to Turn to China, Russia for Oil Project

Some analysts in Iran speculate Japan is delaying the project deliberately in the face of pressure from the United States, which opposes Iran’s nuclear development program.

In February 2004, three companies — Inpex, National Iranian Oil and its subsidiary — signed a contract on the project.

The oil field in Azadegan, southwestern Iran, is one of the world’s largest, estimated to hold 26 billion barrels worth of crude oil reserves.