TEHRAN (UPI) -- The Iranian government considers development of oil and gas fields shared with neighboring countries a top priority, the country's oil minister said.

Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi was quoted by the Fars News Agency as saying Tehran was "seriously pursuing" activity in oil and gas fields that straddle its borders.

"And all government bodies support and accompany the oil industry in fulfilling this important task (development of joint oil and gas fields)," he said.