Not for the first time since the nuclear talks began between Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers in late 2013, Vagit Alekperov, President of Russian energy giant Lukoil, has talked up his company’s interest in a return to the Iranian upstream, once sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program are lifted.

“We hope that the current political dialogue will open up investment opportunities in Iran in the medium and short term,” the Lukoil chief said on 20 April, on the sidelines of the IHS CERAWeek conference in Houston, adding that the company was closely monitoring the situation, so that it will be ready for “the moment when sanctions are removed.” (CONTINUED - 385 WORDS)