In brief
Iran has announced plans for a long‑term gas pipeline to connect with Russia, targeting a total capacity of 110 billion cubic meters and an initial phase of 55 billion cubic meters within two to three years, as Russia’s ambassador to Iran stated. The project is envisioned in two stages, with the first involving a swap scheme through Azerbaijan that would allow gas flow while the longer‑term infrastructure is restored. Whether the swap scheme will be enacted and the exact timeline for completing the full pipeline remain unclear because no further details have been confirmed.
Iran announced on Iranian state television that it intends to construct a gas pipeline with Russia capable of transporting up to 110 billion cubic meters of natural gas, with an initial phase delivering 55 billion cubic meters within two to three years, as said by Ambassador Kazem Jalali.
Project Overview
The ambassador stated that the long‑term goal is to build a separate pipeline for Russian gas supplies to Iran, with a total capacity that could reach 110 billion cubic meters. He added that the first stage of the project would achieve an intermediate capacity of 55 billion cubic meters and would be operational in the next two to three years, according to a statement made on Iranian state television.
"The long‑term goal is to construct a separate pipeline for Russian gas supplies to Iran, with a final capacity of 110 bln cubic meters, and an initial phase capacity of 55 bln cubic meters within two to three years," the ambassador said.
Jalali explained that natural‑gas cooperation between the two countries will develop in two stages. In the short term, the plan involves using existing infrastructure, which would require restoration of pipelines and trilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan, a process that, he noted, could take some time. Because of these constraints, a swap scheme was conceived as the fastest option to start supplying gas.
Swap Scheme Through Azerbaijan
Under the swap arrangement, Russia would deliver gas to northern Azerbaijan, and an equivalent volume would then be transferred to Iran from the south of the same country. This mechanism aims to start a flow of gas while the longer‑term infrastructure is being restored or constructed.
Jalali emphasized that the swap scheme represents a temporary solution, providing an immediate exchange of gas while the major pipeline works would eventually be completed. The specific logistics, such as the volumes and timelines for the swap transfers, were not detailed in the announcement.
While the ambassador outlined the outline and the projected capacities, the source did not clarify whether the project has secured financing, what the exact timetable for the swap scheme rollout is, or whether the final capacity target of 110 billion cubic meters will ultimately be achieved. These issues were acknowledged as unresolved by the ambassador’s statement, and no further details have been disclosed.
