Similar sentiments — mixing nationalism with technological strides — are often expressed about Iran's nuclear program, which Washington and its allies say could be a cover to eventually develop atomic weapons. Tehran denies the charges and says the reactors are only for power — and to plan far ahead for when Iran's oil and gas field run dry.

Construction at the Azadegan field was not easy. The area, about 500 miles southwest of Tehran, lies in a former battle zone of the Iran-Iraq war and is rife with unexploded land mines, which are still being cleared.

The National Iranian South Oil Co., linked to the country's Oil Ministry, also had to scramble to prepare for the $44 million project.

"When we started, we did not have enough equipment. I went from warehouse to warehouse to find material for the needs of the project," said Khaki.

The question of involvement by the Revolutionary Guards is another unknown about the field.

The United States and other Western countries contend that Iran's oil and gas industries are closely linked to the Guards, which operate separate from the standing armed forces and are controlled by Iran's ruling clerics.

There is no public indication that the Guards have a role in the Azadegan oil field. But the Guards publicly own or control numerous companies that have received past contracts in the oil and gas industries.

Washington has long prohibited major U.S. oil producers like Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. from doing business with Iran.

The Bush administration has also put pressure on banks and foreign oil companies — including European giants — to stop doing business with Iran, hoping to stem the flow of investment.

Henderson, the Washington oil expert, said Iranian companies do have the capability to develop Azadegan. But "whether it is a world-class level development is another thing."

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Associated Press Writer Sebastian Abbot in Cairo, Egypt, contributed to this report.