Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh has said that his country would use oil as a weapon if the national interests are violated, the state television reported yesterday.

"We will use all capabilities to resist if our interests are attacked, and of course oil is one of our choices," Hamaneh was quoted as saying.

He warned that the sanctions on Iran would impact the international oil market and the price of crude oil could go up to 100 U.S. dollars a barrel.

"I don't think anyone would make such a choice, because they need energy and they know the effect to the market when Iran are imposed oil sanctions," added Hamaneh.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on June 6 presented to Iran a new package over Iran's nuclear issue, which had been agreed by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany in a meeting in Vienna.

The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran chooses not to comply.

Iran has been requested by western countries to accept the package as soon as possible or it would face crucial sanctions from the UN Security Council.