MOSCOW, October 4 (RIA Novosti) - Iran would be unable to quickly supply the European Union’s gas demand if Russia decides to reduce its gas sales to Europe for some reason, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in an interview with Rossiya-24 TV channel.
“Today we do not have required conditions, when everyone would think that yes, if Russia stops to supply gas, then it [Iran] would be able to do the same [supply gas to the EU]. Our production is far from this stage,” Rouhani said.
Rouhani highlighted that at the moment Iran focuses on internal country’s needs, including the needs in power supplies, as during the wintertime the country “sometimes experiences problems.” Apart from that, Iran’s neighboring countries are also interested in buying gas from Tehran.
Iranian President underscored that he speaks for the “healthy” competition and cooperation with other countries exporting hydrocarbons.
Rouhani also mentioned that Iran is ready to “conduct the coordinated activities with Russia in all areas.”
The West and Israel accuse Iran of attempting to develop a nuclear weapon under the guise of a civilian nuclear program. Tehran argues that its nuclear development is aimed purely at meeting the country's growing energy needs and achieving other peaceful goals.
In November 2013, during the talks held in Geneva, the P5+1 group of international mediators comprising Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Germany agreed to reach a deal with the Tehran delegation guaranteeing the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program by July 2014. The deadline for the agreement was later postponed to November 2014.
The European Union is highly interested in Iranian massive oil and gas deposits, however Tehran has been reluctant on developing its oil and gas projects with international players until a final settlement with foreign governments over its nuclear program is reached and all Western sanctions earlier imposed against Iran are lifted.
