TEHRAN, March 5 (Shana) � Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) assigned Majid Hedayatzadeh as his deputy for international affairs.

In the assignment decree, Rokneddin Javadi said that based on the new organizational chart of the NIOC, Hedayatzadeh will be responsible for managing the operation of the company overseas.

NIOC�s affiliated companies will also coordinate their foreign activities with the newly-launched deputy managing director�s office for international affairs, he said.

The upgrading of international affairs directorate at NIOC comes in the wake of removal of sanctions on Iran's oil industry and frequent visits by foreign dignitaries and companies to Tehran to negotiate oil contracts and partnerships.

Prior to the new assignment, Mohsen Qamsari used to be the director of international affairs of the company leading its relations with the foreign companies.

By SHANA