Iran Has No Intention Of Politicizing OPEC Presidency

Iran has no intention of using its OPEC presidency as a political tribune and is committed to acting for the best interest of the group's members, a non-oil Iranian official said last week.

Under a rotating system, Iran took the presidency of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries this month as some oil consumers suggest the group's output restraint could endanger the economy.

The statements, significant as they emanate from government circles not in charge of petroleum policies, also come as Iran Friday prepares for comprehensive talks in Istanbul over its tensions with the West.

As the presidency holder, "the country [ Iran ] is responsible for all member countries," the official said. "We won't act in any way other than their interests."

"We will follow the agenda" set by the organization, which consists of stabilizing prices, he said.

The statements are emerging after the International Energy Agency, a watchdog representing consuming nations, warned this month that OPEC's decision to maintain a cap on production was pushing prices to $100 a barrel and threatening economic recovery.

Separately, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council-- China , France, Russia , the U.K. and the U.S. --along with Germany , are preparing to hold a second round of talks with Iran from Friday.

Western powers accuse Iran of using its nuclear program to develop weapons, a charge Tehran has always denied.