Iran vows to stop 'some' oil sales as inspectors visit

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Iran sent conflicting signals in a dispute with the West over its nuclear ambitions, vowing to stop oil exports soon to "some" countries but postponing a parliamentary debate on a proposed halt to crude sales to the European Union.

The Islamic Republic declared itself optimistic about a visit by UN nuclear experts that began on Sunday but also warned the inspectors to be "professional" or see Teheran reducing cooperation with the world body on atomic matters.

Lawmakers have raised the possibility of turning the tables on the EU which will implement its own embargo on Iranian oil by July as it tightens sanctions on Teheran over the nuclear program.

But India, the world's fourth-largest oil consumer, said it would not take steps to cut petroleum imports from Iran despite US and European sanctions against Teheran. The International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) inspection delegation will try to advance efforts to resolve a row about the nuclear work which Iran says is purely civilian but the West suspects is aimed at seeking a nuclear weapon.

Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that Ali Akbar Salehi, the country's foreign minister, has said that inspectors from the UN's nuclear watchdog can extend an ongoing visit to the Islamic Republic "if they desire".

India, a major customer for Iranian crude, made clear it would not join the wider international efforts to put pressure on Teheran by cutting oil purchases.

Despite the pressure from the US, Republic of Korea refiners have agreed to buy slightly more Iran crude in 2012 than they did in 2011, according to company and industry sources.

Iranian lawmakers had been due to debate a bill on Sunday that could have cut off oil supplies to the EU in days, in a move calculated to hit ailing European economies before the EU-wide ban took effect.

Questions:

1. Who will implement a ban on Iranian oil by July?

2. What does IAEA stand for?

3. Which country bought more oil from Iran in 2012?

Answers:

1. European Union

2. The International Atomic Energy Agency

3. Republic of Korea

（中國日報網英語點津 Julie 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.