  Iran says oil output freeze “illogical” February 17, 2016 - 13:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's Opec envoy is reported as saying it is "illogical" for it to join the oil output freeze agreed by a Russian and Saudi Arabian-led group on Tuesday, February 16, BBC News reports. Mehdi Asali, quoted in the Iranian newspaper, Shargh, said Iran will continue to increase oil production until it reaches pre-sanction levels. Venezuela's oil minister is due to hold talks in Tehran to broker a deal with Iran and Iraq on Wednesday. Iran has only just restarted oil exports after sanctions were lifted. The move by four countries, including Venezuela and Qatar, is the first of its kind in 15 years. It is designed to reflate oil prices, which have sunk by about 70% from their recent peak of $116 in June 2014. The plan though failed to convince oil traders. In Tuesday trading the price of a barrel of Brent crude fell by 3.2%.  Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
