Demand is rising for Iranian crude oil, with an OPEC report showing a higher output already by Iran which is closely watched by customers as the country is discussing the removal of unilateral US sanctions.

Iran�s oil production rose by 137,000 barrels per day to 2.3�million bpd in March, marking the highest crude production growth among OPEC members, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a monthly report.

The higher output by Iran which is exempt from making voluntary cuts because of US sanctions came for the third consecutive month. Iran�s oil production had jumped by 62,000 and 35,000 barrels per day in January and February, respectively.

According to OPEC, Iran�s heavy crude oil price also rose from $60.66 to $64.30 per barrel in March.

China has reportedly been making record imports of�crude from Iran, forcing sellers of oil from countries such as Brazil, Angola and Russia to divert shipments to India and Europe.

The rise comes in the wake of a 25-year cooperation agreement signed between Iran and China last month to strengthen longstanding economic and political alliance.