IRAN'S PARLIAMENT LAUNCHES PROBE INTO OIL DEALS

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran's parliament has launched an investigation into thegovernment's oil deals with foreign companies. The parliamentary investigation focuses on the so-called buy-backcontracts signed by the state-owned NationalIranian oil Co. The buy-back provision compels contractors to assume thecost of energy exploration and development in exchange for a percentage ofthe oil and gas revenues.