Total chief says too risky to invest in Iran

The CEO of French oil giant Tortall, Christophe de Margerie, stated that investing in Iran is too politically risky. He emphasized that the company would not compromise its ethics for financial gain. Iran, with its vast oil and gas reserves, aims to develop its energy sector for export, but Tortall's decision likely hinders these plans. Tortall was the last major Western energy group considering significant investment in Iran. This decision coincides with Iran's missile tests, escalating tensions with global powers, and is seen as a win for US efforts to isolate Iran.

What was Christophe de Margerie's main concern about investing in Iran?

• The competition from other companies

• The lack of oil reserves

• The political risks involved

• The potential for high financial returns

What does Iran hope to achieve with its oil and gas reserves?

• To develop them for export

• To use them for military purposes

• To keep them for domestic use

• To sell them to neighboring countries only

What was the impact of Total's announcement on Iran's export hopes?

• It dashed Iran's export hopes

• It encouraged other companies to invest

• It boosted Iran's export hopes

• It had no impact

What recent action by Iran increased tensions with world powers?

• Signing a peace treaty

• Test firing more missiles

• Opening new trade routes

• Reducing oil production

How is Total's decision viewed in the context of US diplomatic efforts?

• As irrelevant to US efforts

• As a neutral action

• As a victory for US efforts

• As a setback for US efforts