Oil prices rose as market attention returned to the ongoing standoff over Iran's nuclear programme, dealers said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was set to report Iran to the UN Security Council today over its nuclear programme, despite an Iranian threat to retaliate. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, rose 12 cents to 64.80 usd per barrel in electronic deals. In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude for March delivery increased 41 cents to 63.29 usd per barrel. Crude futures "were modestly higher in early trade this (Friday) morning as it corrected some of yesterday's dip on continued concerns about Iran", analysts at the Sucden brokerage said. They added that "any more concerns about Iran or Nigeria could easily send the market higher again". New York crude had dropped 1.88 usd a barrel yesterday as the market shifted attention to an increase in crude stockpiles in the United States, the world's biggest energy consumer.