UPDATE 6-Oil rises above $113 on Iran tension

* Iran, Nigeria tensions support prices

* Euro zone debt concerns weigh

* Coming up: U.S. API weekly crude stocks; 2130 GMT (Updates prices)

By Alex Lawler

LONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Oil rose to above $113 a barrel on Tuesday as tension over Iran's nuclear programme and unrest in Nigeria outweighed persistent concerns about the strength of Europe's economy.

Iran has begun enriching uranium deep inside a mountain and has sentenced an American to death for spying, angering the West and undermining expectations that diplomacy could avert further sanctions or even war.

Brent crude rose $1.03 a barrel to $113.48 a barrel by 1500 GMT, following a decline of 61 cents on Monday. U.S. crude was up $1.69 to $103.00.

"On balance the bulls seem to be winning, despite the strong dollar, weak demand in the euro zone and a mild winter in the northern hemisphere," said Christopher Bellew, a broker at Jefferies Bache.

U.S. crude traded at a discount of $10.52 to Brent CL-LCO1=R, narrowing by around $1 from Friday. Analysts and brokers cited relatively positive sentiment about the U.S. economy and weak demand in Europe as among the possible factors for Brent's narrower premium.

The tension over Iran's nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes, have included threats by Iran to shut the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil export route.

European Union states, which have already agreed in principle to an embargo on Iranian oil to ratchet up pressure on Tehran, are due to hold a meeting to decide on the measure on Jan. 23, EU diplomats said on Monday.

Iran produces 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, making it the second-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after Saudi Arabia. The EU imports about 500,000 bpd from Iran.

"Despite demand conditions being relatively weak, oil prices are still above $100 because of the geopolitical tensions. There is a floor on prices at the moment," said Natalie Robertson, an analyst at ANZ.

Supply risks were also in focus in Nigeria, where trade unions began a second day of strikes on Tuesday to protest the removal of fuel subsidies. The strike has so far not affected shipments from Africa's largest oil exporter.

Brent is trading close to its 200-day moving average at $112.70, which remains a key level of technical support, said Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix. First resistance is at $114, where recent rallies have run out of steam.

While threats to supplies supported oil prices, economic weakness in Europe limited gains.

The euro rose on Tuesday after hitting a 16-month low versus the dollar on Monday. Investors remain concerned about the outlook for the region's economy and banks and the prospects for government debt sales.

China's exports and imports grew at their slowest pace in more than two years in December, data showed on Tuesday. Even so, crude imports were up 5 percent in December year-on-year, and analysts expected steady oil import growth in 2012.

In top oil consumer the United States, crude stocks were expected to have risen last week by 200,000 barrels, a Reuters poll showed. Industry group the American Petroleum Institute issues its inventory report at 2130 GMT. (Reporting by Seng Li Peng in Singapore and Alex Lawler in London; editing by William Hardy)