Iran's first post-sanctions oil exports to Europe begin

Iran is poised to export its first oil shipments to Europe since international economic sanctions were lifted in mid-January, the oil ministry's SHANA news service reported on Monday. It said two million barrels of oil were being pumped aboard a tanker at Kharg Island in the Gulf, bound for French energy giant Total. It cited oil terminals official Pirouz Moussavi as saying on Sunday that loading of the tankers would be complete within 24 hours.