The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met in emergency session Thursday, with Iranian allies Russia and China promising to back a resolution to take Tehran to the Security Council over its disputed nuclear program.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, rose 10 cents to 66.66 dollars per barrel in electronic deals.

In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude for March delivery eased by eight cents to 64.95 dollars per barrel.

"Concern over todays IAEA meeting to discuss Iran is supporting oil prices despite yesterdays US inventory data," said Barclays Capital analyst Kevin Norrish.

The IAEA was not expected to vote on Iran on Thursday as the United States and Europe continued lobbying for wide support on the 35-nation body.

A decision from the IAEA, the UN's nuclear watchdog, was expected Friday according to a diplomat close to the agency.