Iran sees no oil shortage in market - website

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari said on Sunday there was no shortage of crude in the market, the state broadcaster's website reported.

Iranian oil officials, including the minister, have frequently blamed factors such as speculation and geopolitics, as well as the weak U.S. dollar, for driving up the price of oil rather than a lack of supply.

Oil prices have also surged partly on the back of mounting tension surrounding Iran's row with the West over its nuclear ambitions. Big oil consumers like the United States have called for OPEC to increase output, a move Iran opposes.

The website quoted the minister as saying that the "global oil market does not have any shortage".

"The state of the oil market depends on factors such as the dollar and oil traders," the minister said, speaking after a cabinet meeting.

Iran, the No. 2 producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, says it is seeking to master nuclear technology so it can produce electricity. The West says Tehran wants to build nuclear bombs.

The war of words, including Iran's decision to test fire missiles this month, has rattled the oil market.

(Reporting by Zahra Hosseinian; Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Quentin Bryar)