Iran, Tehran, Feb. 3 / Trend , A.Namdari/
Iran will start exporting gas through the Gulf of Oman to other countries, if a contract on the Peace gas pipeline is not signed between Iran and Pakistan soon, Iranian Parliamentary Energy Commission member Hassan Norouzi told Trend . " Tehran does not insist on building the Peace gas pipeline to link Iran, Pakistan and India. If the parties refuse to cooperate, we can export gas to other countries. We have reviewed the primary conditions for export of Iranian gas through the Gulf of Oman. Currently there are no problems in implementing the new plan on this transit route," said Norouzi. Negotiations on the cost of the Peace gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran have not yet been conducted, but the official Tehran and Islamabad will soon sign a contract to lay the pipeline, MP said. The Iranian Parliament has not specified the date to sign the agreement.
According to official reports, Iran promised to Pakistan to export 30 million cubic meters of gas per day to the country during the first phase of the project. Because of the differences on transit benefits that emerged between India and Pakistan, Delhi has not officially announced its accession to the project. Besides, India is pressed by the U.S. not to expand its economic cooperation with Iran. Anyway, India needs Iranian gas and does not officially refuse from the Peace gas pipeline project. Official Delhi says the price on gas to be exported from Iran is too high. Indian officials did not participate in recent months' discussions on the Peace gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan. Construction of the 2600-kolometer Peace gas pipeline has been discussed since 1994. The pipeline is expected to export Iranian gas supplies to Pakistan and onwards to India.
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