WesternZagros Resources Ltd

WesternZagros Provides Drilling and Corporate Updates

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Dec. 14, 2009) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

WesternZagros Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WZR) ("WesternZagros" or "the Company") has successfully set and cemented 9 5/8" casing at 2,702 metres as planned in the Aaliji seal at the Company's Kurdamir-1 well. Drilling of 8 1/2" hole has begun towards two additional reservoir targets - the Shiranish and Upper Qamchuqa in the Cretaceous interval.

"We remain optimistic about the prospects for the Kurdamir-1 well given that we discovered the presence of the Oligocene reservoir and hydrocarbons as we drilled through the Tertiary zone. Our main objective now is to drill the deeper Cretaceous reservoirs to determine their oil potential," said Simon Hatfield, WesternZagros Chief Executive Officer.

Kurdamir-1 is a wildcat exploration well, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WesternZagros is drilling the well with its co-venturers, the Kurdistan Regional Government and Talisman Energy Inc. As previously announced, WesternZagros anticipates reaching the total target depth of between 3,600 and 4,000 metres during the first quarter of 2010, with gross well costs between $60 million and $65 million prior to any additional testing.

For further details, please refer to the December 2009 corporate presentation now available on the WesternZagros website: http://www.westernzagros.com/documents/WZR2009CorporatePresentation-Dec2009.pdf. Also available on the website is a December 9, 2009 interview between BTV and Simon Hatfield: http://www.b-tv.com/i/videos/WesternZagrosDec09.wmv

About WesternZagros Resources Ltd.

WesternZagros is an international natural resources company engaged in acquiring properties and exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas in Iraq. WesternZagros, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, holds a Production Sharing Contract with the Kurdistan Regional Government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WesternZagros' shares trade in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "WZR".

This news release may contain forward-looking information based on assumptions that are subject to a wide range of business risks. WesternZagros' operations are subject to all risks normally incident to the exploration, development and operation of crude oil and natural gas properties and the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells, including geological risk, encountering unexpected formations or pressures, premature declines of reservoirs, potential environment damage, blow-outs, fires and spills, all of which could result in personal injuries, loss of life and damage to property of WesternZagros and others; environment risks; delay or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; its joint venture partner's continued participation in the exploration activities under the PSC, the ability to attract key personnel; the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

All of WesternZagros' assets are located in Kurdistan. As such, WesternZagros is subject to political, economic, and other uncertainties of that region as well as risks of loss due to civil strife, acts of war, guerrilla activities and insurrections. WesternZagros' operations may be materially adversely affected by changes in government policies and legislation or social instability and other factors which are not within its control. Risks also include the uncertainty involved in the estimation of undiscovered resources. For further information on WesternZagros and the risks associated with its business, please see WesternZagros' Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2009 which is filed at www.sedar.com and on the Company's web site.

Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "could", or similar words suggesting future outcomes. We caution readers and prospective investors of the Company's securities not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as by its nature, it is based on current expectations regarding future events that involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by WesternZagros