An Iranian semi-official news agency says Iran is planning to build an oil refinery in Pakistan.

The plan is part of Iran's effort to decrease international pressure on its oil industry, which has been target of international sanctions over the country's disputed nuclear program.

Thursday's report by Fars quotes Asim Hussain, an adviser to the Pakistani prime minister, as saying that the refinery in the Pakistani port of Gwadar will be able to refine 400,000 barrels a day.

The report says Iran will sell products from the refinery to Pakistan in return of food, especially wheat, meat and rice.

The deal to build the refinery came after a meeting between Iran's oil minister Rostam Ghasemi and the Pakistani adviser.