US trying to block Iran energy deals

Emboldened by the perception that Russia is hardening its stance toward Iran, Washington is increasing its efforts to put more economic pressure on Tehran. Meanwhile, Russian and Chinese diplomats are trying to synchronize their position on the issue.

According to The New York Times, the Bush administration has


If this pressure gives fruit, several big projects planned for Iran could be shelved, wrote the U.S. daily yesterday. Among these are a possible $10 billion project by Royal Dutch Shell and the Spanish oil company, Repsol YPF, to develop a natural gas field offshore in Iran, and a $20 billion venture by SKS Ventures of Malaysia to produce natural gas in Iran’s Golshan and Ferdows fields.

But the Bush administration does not intend to make a move that might cause energy prices to soar. Instead, wrote The New York Times, they want