Iran is considering a long-term project to build a natural gas pipeline with Russia, with a planned annual capacity of up to 110 billion cubic meters, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali has announced.

The diplomat said that the project would be implemented in stages. During the initial phase, expected to take two to three years, the pipeline's capacity would reach 55 billion cubic meters annually, according to IRIB.

Jalali also outlined plans for short-term gas cooperation between the two countries, which would initially rely on an intermediary arrangement involving Azerbaijan.

Under the proposed mechanism, Russia would supply natural gas to northern Azerbaijan, while Iran would receive an equivalent volume from the southern part of the country.

The arrangement is expected to serve as an initial step toward expanding energy cooperation between Moscow and Tehran while longer-term pipeline plans are being considered.