RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 20 (UPI) -- Iranian crude oil exports for January were at their highest level in more than four years, an analysis of OPEC countries found.
The Joint Organization Data Initiative Web site reported that Iranian crude oil exports for January were at 2.26 million barrels per day, reports Bloomberg News. That's the highest export level reported since December 2008.
The European Union called for an Iranian crude oil embargo in mid-January. The embargo goes into effect July 1 though Tehran pre-empted the move and halted some exports to European consumers.
It wasn't clear if the JODI reporting period covered Iranian oil exports after Jan. 23, when the EU agreed on the embargo. The United States in late December imposed similar sanctions, however.
Iran ranks No. 2 in terms of oil production among members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Oil prices are at near-record highs in part because of tensions with Iran. The Iranian government had threatened to choke off key oil shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz if pressured further.
