Iraq Awaits Iranian Response

Iraq is waiting for Iran to respond to a proposal from Baghdad to set up a joint oil pipeline between the two countries, an Iraqi Oil Ministry official said.

Iraqi Oil Ministry Spokesman Asim Jihad called it a strategic oil project linking the Iraqi southeastern city of Basra to the Iranian southwestern port of Abadan. Jihad added that the proposed pipeline would transfer crude oil of Iraqi southern oilfields to Abadan refinery in southern Iran.

Asked if the United States agreed with such joint Iraqi projects with Iran, Jihad replied that the Iraqi Oil Ministry makes its decisions in accordance with Iraq's national interests and that the proposal for Basra-Abadan pipeline was put forward after informing the coalition officials.