Iran may cut oil to more European countries

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Tehran is considering extending an oil embargo on France and Britain to other European countries, a semiofficial Iranian news agency reported today.

The head of Iran's state oil company Ahmad Qalehbani was quoted by Mehr as saying that the country would stop selling crude to nations who take action against Tehran.

"If the hostile acts of some other European countries continue, oil exports to these countries will be cut," he said.

Iran announced the cut-offs to France and Britain on Sunday, a pre-emptive retaliation for an EU embargo over Tehran's controversial nuclear program that is scheduled to go into effect in July.

Since the embargo was announced last month, Iranian officials have said that Tehran should enact its own sanctions immediately, before European countries lined up alternative suppliers.