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Iran says French majors drawn to its oil sector

TEHRAN, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Ali Majedi, Iran's deputy oil minister, said French energy company Total is among those expressing an interest in his country's oil sector.

Iranian leaders hosted a trade delegation of roughly 140 representatives from French companies this week in Tehran. Majedi told the semiofficial Fars News Agency major French oil companies were among those who said they're willing to invest in Iran.

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"The companies that have negotiated with us are considered the main group and include ... Total [and oil services contractor] Technip," he said in an interview published Wednesday.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month his economy was opening up as a result of last year's interim nuclear deal with Western powers.

"Iran's geopolitical situation, and also its access to the open seas, make it a geopolitically suitable model in the region," Majedi said.

Iran gets sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear enrichment activity under the terms of the nuclear deal. U.S. officials have said Iran, however, is not "open for business."

There were no recent statements on Iran from the French companies mentioned by the deputy oil minister.

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