A+ A-

Turkish Energy Minister: blast targets Iran-Turkey gas pipeline

ANKARA, July 28 (KUNA) -- Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said late Monday that a blast hit a Turkish-Iranian pipeline in eastern Turkey's Agri province.
In a statement, Yildiz said that the explosion caused fire eruption but the firefightig teams have swiftly stop it.
Yildiz added that the suspected offensive took place 15 Km off the eastern border with Iran.
"The blast caused a fire breakout, however, in a short time we managed to extinguish it. After repairing it, the gas flow will resume," he said.
"We have taken measures to meet the natural gas demand in the area. Turkish citizens and industrialists should be at ease," he added.
Tehran increased gas deliveries to Turkey by one billion cubic meters of gas per year during 2014.
Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan export about 10 billion cubic meters per year, 27 billion cubic meters and 6.6 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Turkey respectively.
The statement added that the power line between Cizre and Silopi districts of southeastern Sirnak province had been attacked on July 24. (end) rs.mb