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Iran oil embargo 'a mistake', Total CEO says

Business Materials 5 July 2010 11:51 (UTC +04:00)

Imposing sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program was a serious mistake, the CEO of French energy giant Total, Christophe de Margerie, said.

Speaking at an economic forum in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, Margerie confirmed Total had suspended fuel deliveries to Iran in line with sanctions adopted by the UN, U.S. and the EU.

"I maintain this is a mistake. The embargo affects the population, too many things are politicized these days," he told the media on Friday, ILNA news agency reported.

Margerie noted that an embargo on petrol products would harm ordinary people in Iran.

"We do not think an embargo on the delivery of petrol products is a good way to settle differences of a political nature," he said.

He stressed that Total would resume deliveries at the first opportunity, saying it was a "serious mistake to mix civil and political matters."

The UN Security Council adopted a fourth round of sanctions against Iran on June 9, despite strong opposition by Turkey and Brazil - both temporary members of the council, Press TV reported.

This is while in addition, U.S. President Barack Obama approved unilateral Iran sanctions on Thursday. The EU is also set to finalize further measures at a meeting of foreign ministers on July 26.

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