TEHRAN—“Iran is ready to export gas to Europe through Armenia,” Iranian Deputy Energy Minister Ali Majedi was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency on Wednesday.
Speaking about the routes of exporting Iranian gas to Europe, the Iranian official said: “There are three gas export routes: one is via Turkey, the second one is via Armenia, Georgia and the Black Sea, and the third route lies via Iraq, Syria and Lebanon”.
Iranian Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh said recently that the demand for natural gas is increasing in Europe, while Iran wants to play an important role in European fuel supplies.
Iran might also find itself in a more favorable position if gas supplies to Europe from Russia come under more restrictions in the face of Russia’s standoff with the West in Ukraine.
“Iran can be a reliable partner for Europe: there are sufficient energy resources for cooperation with European countries and numerous projects exist in this connection,” the Iranian minister said.
“There are three gas export routes: one is via Turkey, the second one is via Armenia, Georgia and the Black Sea, and the third route lies via Iraq, Syria and Lebanon”.
Options 1 and 3 make sense, as EU may want to diversify away from “gas via Turkey”. (For Iran, anyway, the Turkish option is a low-hanging fruit that can be picked up anytime, so options 1 and 3 make sense here for similar diversification reasons). Georgia will not mind another transit line and, possibly, an LNG facility (if the pipeline option via the Black Sea doesn’t turn out feasible). And Lebanon will definitely get an LNG facility, in addition to the pipeline (if Option 3 is chosen). I’m not sure the “big northern bro” (biggest exporter to EU) will like any of this.
A tremendous opportunity to make Armenia a promising transfer hub of oil and natural gas. It could help bring some much needed economic assistance to us as well. I hope this goes through.
Since Syria is in turmoil, the Iranians are most likely to pursue the Armenian route. However, they are neglecting the fact that the US has become the largest producer of natural gas recently and it is also estimated that they will be the largest oil producer by 2015. If Europe is affected by the Ukrainian crisis, the US will be more than happy to supply their energy needs. This would be a boon to US interests as it would profit them enormously and at the same time continue to stifle the Iranians.
Historical ties between Armenia and Iran are well documented. Iran can trust Armenia more than any other of its neighbors. You can ask Yeprem Khan about this…
Any deal between Armenia and Iran is going to benefit both sides equally as demonstrated by several recent joint projects.
Armenia does not change its mind or backstab their trade partners like some surrounding countries do. Iran’s ever changing and fluctuating relationship with Azeri or Turkey is an example of this. Can Iran trust Turkey?, Azeri? Even ten year old students know the answer. You must watch your back continuously with these two.