Iranian Oil Minister Massoud Mir-Kazzemi announced on Sunday that the Persian Gulf littoral states have demanded to import gas from Iran.
"Gas is at present known as a clean fuel and in addition to Qatar there are a number of other Persian Gulf littoral states which want to purchase gas from Iran," Mir-Kazzemi reiterated in a press conference here in Tehran today.
The minister said except for Qatar, these countries have demanded to purchase Iran's gas since most of them are short of gas supplies while having giant oil reserves.
Yet, despite its rich gas resources, Qatar is also buying gas from Iran at present, Mir-Kazzemi added.
He mentioned that Tehran is negotiating with its neighbors in the Persian Gulf region on the details of such exports.
Iran and Qatar have expanded their economic ties and cooperation in recent years, with Qatar's National Bank (QNB) planning to invest 400 mln Euros in Iran's Esfandiar oilfield in the Persian Gulf.
Head of the Financial Office of Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) Hossein Jafari in January 2010 reiterated that according to Iran's regulations on financing contracts in the oil industry, 85% of primary investments in financing projects should be provided by the investors, but Qatar's National Bank is to provide 100% of the funding.
Iran has the world's second-largest reserves of natural gas (15% of the world's total).
Iran possesses roughly 10 percent of the world's total proven petroleum reserves as well, FNA reported.