Will Iran's opening be slower than expected?

Sanctions are about to be lifted but Iran is finding it difficult to convince foreign oil companies to invest in its ambitious oil and gas programme

When Iran's energy chiefs were mapping out scenarios for the country's post-sanctions re-entry to the international oil and gas market, they couldn't have imagined it happening in the inauspicious circumstances of early January. The raising of regional tensions after Saudi Arabia's execution a prominent Shiite cleric - and Iran's reaction to it - has soured positive sentiment just when the imminent lifting of sanctions portended better days ahead for the Islamic Republic. This year is a big one for Iran, as it escapes a punishing sanctions regime and prepares the ground for new deals with the international oil companies (IOCs) which will be essential to long-term production under a new model