Iran may approve plans for early production of oil from a major hydrocarbon reserve in the Caspian Sea, a first for a country where crude has been pumped for more than a century from wells located in the southeast and offshore in the Persian Gulf.

The commander of the Iranian navy says Iran and Russia will hold joint drills in the Caspian Sea as he underlines opposition to the military presence of any country from outside the region. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoF) on Tuesday said Afghanistan is preparing to export the first shipment of products through the Lapis Lazuli Transit, Trade and Transport Route within the next two days.