Iran would become top supplier of oil to China under deal SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Monday, February 20, 2006 Iran and China have been discussing a major energy deal that would involve the swap of oil for technology. Western diplomatic sources said the two countries have been examining an agreement that would make Iran the leading oil supplier to China. The sources said the long-term deal was valued at $100 billion. Over the weekend, Iran and China discussed cooperation in oil, natural gas and petrochemicals. The official Iranian news agency Irna said the conference, held in Kish Island, was attended by officials and experts from both countries. Gholam-Reza Manouchehri, managing director of Iran's Petropars, said China has been a major developer of Iran's energy reserves and called for the transfer of Chinese technology. Manouchehri also cited China's growing demand for oil. "We intend to create new opportunities by making optimum use of the facilities of both countries in the mentioned fields," Manouchehri said.