Middle East
Publisher: Financial Post
28 Dec 2014
Nevermind U.S. shale, Saudi Arabia’s oil power play targets Iran’s economy
All politics are local, except for oil politics. The Russians think these low oil prices are an American-Saudi conspiracy. American commentators believe that the Saudis have driven down prices to punish North Dakota s shale oil revolution and drive its high-cost producers out of the game. In Canada, the paranoia in Calgary is that the Saudis and other Gulf oil producers want to drive the oil sands out of business.
Publisher: The National
11 Dec 2014
Iranian President Blames Fall In Oil Prices On ‘Treachery’
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that the sharp fall in global oil prices is the result of "treachery," in an apparent reference to regional rival Saudi Arabia, which opposed production cuts. Oil prices have plunged by more than 40 percent since June to around $65 a barrel, placing severe strain on Iran's economy, which is already hobbled by international sanctions imposed over its nuclear program.
Publisher: Fortune
27 Nov 2014
Total faces fresh corruption charges over Iran contracts
Publisher: The Guardian
11 Nov 2014
Stakes are high as US plays the oil card against Iran and Russia
Obama administration wants Tehran to come to heel over its nuclear programme. It wants Vladimir Putin to back off in eastern Ukraine. But after recent experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, the White House has no desire to put American boots on the ground. Instead, with the help of its Saudi ally, Washington is trying to drive down the oil price by flooding an already weak market with crude. As the Russians and the Iranians are heavily dependent on oil exports, the assumption is that they will become easier to deal with.
Publisher: IranPressNews
10 Nov 2014
Weak Iran economy adds to pressure on leaders over nuclear deal
Iran s rulers are under growing pressure to secure a nuclear deal with world powers to help ease the plight of the country s economy, which has been buffeted by international sanctions and falling oil prices that threaten to derail economic reforms. Weak demand and oversupply have sent oil prices plunging more than 25 per cent, since the middle of June, to a four-year low.
Publisher: Quartz
17 Oct 2014
Low oil prices won’t make Iran more conciliatory
The plunge in global oil prices isn't likely to drive Iran to strike a nuclear deal with the West by next month s deadline despite Tehran's added economic difficulties, experts say. They will only push Iran into greater compromise if the talks are extended and the low prices persist. In Vienna, where two days of resumed talks broke up yesterday, diplomats told the Wall Street Journal that prices - which have plunged by 25% since last summer - could make Iran more conciliatory.
Publisher: LA Times
13 Oct 2014
Oil price drop threatens to hit Russia, Iran harder than sanctions
drop in global oil prices, driven in part by a boom in U.S. shale oil production, is threatening to hit the economies of energy-exporting Russia and Iran harder than Western economic sanctions have done.. Prices have fallen about 20% on world markets since June because of an increase in oil production and an economic slowdown in Asia and Europe. If that continues, as many analysts expect, gasoline may sell below $3 a gallon at the pump in much of the United States.
Publisher: The Motely Fool
22 Aug 2014
What’s Really Behind Russia’s Massive Oil Deal With Iran?
The outline of the deal, which is all that's available, suggests it is a five-year agreement worth up to $20 billion. Russia will provide goods and services to Iran, including food and oil industry expertise. Iran, meanwhile, will get an outlet for its oil. And a big one! Russia appears willing to buy up to half of Iran's oil exports, or roughly a fifth of its total output.