Turkmenistan, Turkey and Iran in gas triangle

The new agreement for Turkmen gas exports via Iran marks another step in Turkey’s efforts to become regional gas hub but may have limited benefits for Tehran

The new agreement between Turkmenistan and Turkish company BOTAS for the export of 2bcm/yr of gas via Iran is a significant development in regional energy dynamics. Under the agreement, Turkmen gas will be transferred through Iran to Turkey. The deal comes at a time when Iran is facing a domestic gas supply crisis, and its exports of gas to both Turkey and Iraq are declining. For Turkmenistan, issues related to Caspian Sea disputes and challenges with the Trans-Caspian pipeline project remain major obstacles to its exports of gas to Western markets. Iran is facing difficulties in supplying the gas required by its agreement with Turkey. The renewal of its contract, which ends in 2026, holds s