Majid Chegeni, who made the announcement in his talks with reporters on the sidelines of a conference on retrofitting natural gas production, transmission, and distribution systems and grid, added Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity has cleared all gas debt.

On June 10, Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce Chairman Yahya Al-e Es’haq said $2.7 billion of Iran's assets frozen in Iraq due to U.S. sanctions on Iran were released.

Iraqi Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel has also said Baghdad has paid all its gas debt to Tehran.

Gas talks with Türkiye, Turkmenistan

Chegeni said Iran is holding gas negotiations with Türkiye and Turkmenistan.

The deputy oil minister added Türkiye has called for extending its contract on importing gas from Iran and the two sides’ talks are underway.

Touching upon importing gas from Turkmenistan, the NIGC CEO said Tehran and Ashgabat are holding talks.

Minister remarks

Last month, Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji said a gas contract would be signed with Turkmenistan soon and imports would begin.

Iran’s 13th (incumbent) administration started swapping 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year when it took office on the basis of a contract with the Republic of Azerbaijan, said the minister, continuing the volume of gas swap doubled last year following the two sides’ agreement.

Turkmenistan is the fourth-largest holder of gas reserves in the world and Iran has the capacity of importing 40 to 50 mcm/d, said Owji, adding, “We intend to boost our gas trade (swap, transit, and transactions) in the region, which would be beneficial for both countries.”

Iran: Most reliable market

The head of Iran’s Institute for International Energy Studies (IIES) said Iran is the most reliable market for Turkmenistan’s gas.

Talking to SHANA, Mohammad Sadeq Jokar added Turkmenistan needs the Iranian market, as its gas export options have been limited due to the regional and international developments, including the war in Ukraine.

He also pointed out gas imports from Turkmenistan would help Iran redress imbalance between production and consumption in the northeastern part of the country.