Iran appoints caretaker oil minister - ISNA

TEHRAN, Aug 12 (Reuters) Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh, criticised recently for a gas pipeline deal, has resigned and a caretaker was appointed today in his place, Iranian news agencies said.

The reports in Iran, the world's fourth-biggest oil producer, did not give a reason for the resignation but news agencies, quoting a letter from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said Vaziri-Hamaneh would become his adviser on oil and gas affairs.

The caretaker would be Gholamhossein Nozari, managing director of state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Iran's ISNA news agency reported.

There was no immediate word on what, if any, impact this move would have on oil policy in the No 2 producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Vaziri-Hamaneh's ministry was criticised in recent weeks by a former oil official for signing a deal to sell gas to India and Pakistan, via a pipeline, at what was said to be a heavily discounted price.

The issue had prompted a debate among parliamentarians and other senior officials.

Even before the pipeline dispute, Iranian media had in recent months carried speculation that Vaziri-Hamaneh could resign. But those reports had been denied.

The announcement comes when Iran is under increasing international pressure over its nuclear programme and faces the possibility of a third round of UN sanctions.

Reuters PD DB2230