Ashgabat and Tehran Discuss Turkmen Gas and Electricity Supplies to Iran

Turkmenistan and Iran have discussed direct deliveries of Turkmen gas to Iran, as well as its transit to third countries, according to the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan, which cited Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov at the end of last week.

In particular, prospects for bilateral cooperation in the gas sector, including direct gas supplies to Iran and transit through Iranian territory to third countries under swap arrangements, were considered in Tehran during the 18th session of the Turkmen-Iranian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, Meredov said, The Caspian Post reports citing Interfax.

The sides also discussed the potential to expand interstate cooperation in the electricity sector, he said. The parties reviewed the implementation of the Turkmen section of the Mary-Mashhad power transmission line project and the continued supply of Turkmen electricity to Iran.

The session also addressed cooperation in the transport sector, including the Gumdag-Etrek-Iran border highway project with a total length of 242 kilometers, Meredov said. In addition, an agreement was reached on increasing transport and freight flows between the two countries.

Further agreement was reached to prepare a work plan for 2026-2028 to enhance trade and economic ties and further expand trade turnover, Meredov said.

The session also covered bilateral cooperation in water management, particularly the preservation and rational use of water resources.

The parties signed the corresponding protocol at the end of the session.

As reported, in July 2024 Ashgabat and Tehran signed a contract for the sale of 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year, which will be delivered from Turkmenistan to Iraq via Iranian territory under a swap scheme.

In October 2023, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Turkmengaz and the Iraqi Electricity Ministry on supplying natural gas.