Iran may extend oil ban to more European countriesFebruary 20, 2012 - 18:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Iranian semiofficial news agency says Tehran is considering extending an oil embargo on France and Britain to other European countries, AP reported. The Monday, February 20 report by Mehr quoted head of the National Iranian Oil Company Ahmad Qalehbani as saying that Tehran may stop crude exports to European Union members that continue "hostile acts" against Iran. Qalehbani predicts that oil prices could possibly pass $150 per barrel, without specifying when. Oil prices jumped to a nine-month high of nearly $105 a barrel on Monday in Asia after Iran announced the halt on exports to Britain and France. Iran imposed the cuts pre-emptively in retaliation for EU sanctions scheduled to go into effect in July to pressure Tehran over its controversial nuclear program. 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 | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |