Azerbaijani and Iranian oil dispute continues

A war of words is continuing between Azerbaijan and Iran over Azerbaijan's efforts to prospect for oil in a disputed area of the Caspian Sea.

The Iranian ambassador to Baku, Ahad Qazaie, said any exploitation of the Alborz oil field by Azerbaijan was illegal and contrary to international conventions.

Mr Qazaie said none of the five countries which border the Caspian were entitled to prospect in the sea as long as the status of the area remained undefined.

Earlier, Azerbaijan protested to Iran over the threat to two Azeri oil exploration vessels by an Iranian navy ship and a military aircraft.

The Azeri ships were leased by the oil company, BP Amoco, which has announced it's suspending operations in the area until the dispute is resolved.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service