IEA: Iranian oil exports decline

PARIS, May 15 (UPI) -- Iranian oil exports for April were down by about 180,000 barrels per day and consistent with a gradual decline, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

IEA, which has headquarters in Paris, said in its monthly market report Iran exported about 1.11 million barrels of oil per day in April, down from the 20-month peak of 1.58 million bpd reached in February.

Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said last month Iran would try to export as much oil as possible. An interim agreement from Iran to curb its nuclear activity limits exports to 1 million bpd, though the minister said Tehran wouldn't accept export levels "dictated from elsewhere."

Iran agreed to the export limit as part of a broader effort to resolve issues related to the country's controversial nuclear program, which it says is for peaceful purposes.

Iranian Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday from Vienna there was a "decisive will" to settle the nuclear issue.

Some of Iran's oil customers can get relief from sanctions if they show they've reduced their import levels.