Teheran plans a pipeline to deliver 30 mcmpd of natural gas to Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Turkey and Cyprus to renew a political crisis after Nicosia proposed Beirut to cooperate in Mediterranean Sea gas fields.
A pipeline to reflect geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. On Tuesday 1/9 Iran planed a pipeline to deliver 30 mcmpd of natural gas to Iraq, following a request from Baghdad on this issue.
As Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qaesmi told to Press TV, the pipeline will carry gas from South Pars gas field. Moreover, in the project could be involved also Syria and Lebanon.
The extension of the pipeline to Syria and Lebanon will strengthen Iran's geopolitical position in the Middle East.
Supplying a high quantity of gas, in addition to oil supplies which Teheran already delivers to Middle East countries, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon will be strongly influenced in their foreign policy by Iran.
A demonstration of the role energy plays in geopolitics, in particular in the Middle East, is Turkey's reaction to Cyprus cooperation's proposal with Lebanon.
Basing on a study by Noble Energy US energy company, Cyprus proposed Lebanon the common exploitation of a 255 bcd of natural gas reserve in Lebanon national waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Turkey strongly criticized Cyprus by accusing Nicosia of trying to exploit also natural gas fields in Northern Cyprus, which is politically controlled by Turkey since 1974.
Matteo Cazzulani
