TEHRAN – Deputy head of the Iranian Parliament’s Energy Committee has said that the gas cooperation with Russia is going to make Iran an energy hub in the region, Shana reported.

Referring to the signing of a gas transfer agreement between Iran and Russia, Ramezanali Sangdovini said: “This agreement will turn the Islamic Republic of Iran into a regional gas hub and a new chapter will be established in the region’s international relations.”

“Iran has very strong gas transmission lines and pressure boosting stations, which can create a revolution in the region’s energy transit,” he added.

Iran and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the transfer of Russian gas to Iran in late June.

Iran's Acting President Mohammad Mokhber has also said that the signing of the strategic MOU for the transfer of gas from Russia to Iran is very important for the two countries and the region, and said that Tehran-Moscow's firm determination in line with the improvement of relations has an important message for the world and the path of gas cooperation has begun between the two countries will lead to greater understandings and contracts.

During a meeting with Alexey Miller, CEO of Gazprom and special representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Mokhber stated that the signing of the MOU on the export of Russian gas to Iran is very important for improving the security and economy of the region.

He emphasized the need for accelerating the completion of the north-south corridor and the Rasht-Bandar Abbas railway line to connect the countries of the region to this corridor.

The principal framework for gas transfer from Russia to Iran has been on the agenda since a long time ago and the late president insisted on its finalization.

According to Oji, there is the potential for changing the MOU into a contract in a short time, which will be a turning point for both countries.

“With this agreement, Iran’s share of trade will rise causing changes in international balances. This agreement will act as a revolution in the energy and industry scene of the region,” Oji said.

This MOU between the holders of 60 percent of the global gas reserves, as clean energy, has been signed based on mutual interests in the international frameworks and will soon enter the contract and implementation stage, the minister added.

EF/MA