TEHRAN Persian daily Jomhouri Eslami in its Wednesday editorial wrote that the U.S. is preparing to withdraw from its threats posed against European oil companies signing oil contracts with Iran. According to Times of London, Clinton and the heads of 8 industrialized countries are to discuss the issue in a meeting early next week. Times has quoted Madeleine Albright as saying that Washington may lift the oil sanctions on Iran and Libya, wrote Jomhouri Eslami. But the spokesman to U.S. secretary of state denied Albright's statement noting that d'Aamato law is still in effect.

Washington, under the pressure of the Zionist regime, passed this law and thought that all countries would abide by the policies dictated by the U.S. Albright's hasty statement and its denial by the spokesman indicates that the U.S. is on the horns of a dilemma. Although he refuted her statement, the spokesman assured that a decision will be made, adding that it is not yet clear what Clinton will say on the issue in the meeting.

Another Persian daily, Ressalat, in its editorial wrote that the U.S. and European countries overlook realities and the rights of Iran in their negotiations, charging Iran with terrorism, opposition to the Middle East peace process, and manufacture of weapons of mass destruction. The editorial further wrote that European countries simply aim at pursuing their economic goals in their cooperation with Iran. As they are negotiating with the U.S., European delegations are visiting Iran to bolster their economic ties with Tehran.