In the world of oil politics, Opec provides the dominant forum. And within Opec, Saudi Arabia provides the muscle. But in the wake of sweeping claims of Opec's irrelevance after its Nov. 27 decision not to cut, and the prospect that a reinvigorated Iran could be knocking on the door after last week's framework nuclear deal, Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi this week reasserted the kingdom's unequivocal support for the producer group (EC Apr.3' 15). "Our first and most important cooperative relationship is with Opec ... Saudi Arabia passionately supports Opec's role as the world's most important and most active international petroleum organization," he told the Saudi Economics Association in Riyadh on Apr. 7.
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