Iran has called on Islamic oil-producing countries today to suspend exports to Western nations and those with relations with Israel.
"I call on all Arab and Islamic oil-producing countries to suspend their exports to the West and countries who have relations with Israel for a symbolic period of one month," Iranian supreme leader Mr Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in prayer sermon to thousands at Tehran University.
"The oil belongs to the people and can be a weapon against the West and those countries who support the savage regime of Israel," said Mr Khamenei.
But the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) swiftly dismissed Mr Khamenei's call. "As far as the organisation is concerned there are no talks of an oil embargo because no rational and sane human being would really back such a move, because it will certainly backfire on all of us," said an OPEC source.
Mr Khamenei had called on Islamic states "to support the Palestinian people," while castigating US President Bush, who yesterday warned Iran and Syria not to meddle in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He accused Mr Bush of "threatening global peace and security with each of his speeches".
But Mr Khamenei urged Palestinians to reject a negotiated settlement with Israel and pleaded for Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat to remain steadfast.
Today’s prayers were due to be followed by a huge organised demonstration against Israel and in support of the Palestinians.