Iranian natural gas exports to Turkey rise

- 06 May 2010

Reuters reported that Iran’s natural gas exports have shot up over the past month due to increased trade with Turkey.

Mr Mostafa Kashkouli deputy director of the National Iranian Gas Company said that “The export of Iranian natural gas has grown by 98% in the 40 days of the current Iranian year compared to the corresponding period last year. The bulk of the gas export pertains to Turkey, which has almost doubled.”

Mr Taner Yildiz energy minister of Turkey said that Iran may export gas to Switzerland via Turkey in exchange for a transit fee to Ankara if it does so.

The US and its European allies are pushing for a fourth round of UN sanctions to pressure Iran to curb a nuclear program the West fears is aimed at building a bomb. Iran said that it needs nuclear technology to generate power.

Turkey’s government has boosted ties with Tehran. Turkey and Brazil are trying to revive a stalled atomic fuel deal with Iran in an attempt to help the Islamic Republic avoid new sanctions.

(Sourced from Reuters)