The chief executive of the French oil giant Total SA (TOTF.PA) has warned against imposing fuel sanctions against Iran.

"I am puzzled as to why we might think of using embargoes of petroleum products to Iran, first of all because they wouldn't work," Total CEO Christophe de Margerie told a panel at Columbia University in New York.

Total sells gasoline to Iran now, but "If there is a law that tells us to stop, then we will," Reuters quoted de Margerie as saying on Thursday.

He highlighted the importance of Iran's huge gas reserves and stressed that Iran should someday be an important supplier to Europe.

"The gas of Iran will be very important to supply Europe," he said. "Iran will be part of our system or we will have problems."

MGH/SS/MMA