Iran takes first step towards identifying Caspian oil and gas reserves

Iran says it is making seismographic studies in the Caspian Sea in the search for oil and gas.

Iranian radio said this was a first and fundamental step by the country towards identifying the reserves of the Caspian.

A deputy oil minister, Ali Majedi, was quoted as saying that the reported extent of the reserves could not yet be confirmed because the sea had not been completely surveyed.

He also said there were still major differences of opinion by the countries bordering the Caspian -- Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan-- over its legal status and the exploitation of its oil reserves.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service