In a move that could alter the Caspian Basin energy-export equation, Iran has announced that it wants to significantly increase natural gas purchases from Azerbaijan.
Iran's ambassador to Baku, Mohammad Baqer Bahrami, made the public offer on February 26. "We are ready to purchase up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan," Bahrami was quoted by the Trend news agency as saying. Iran could potentially buy every cubic meter of Azerbaijani gas after a new 200-kilometer pipeline connects the two states, the ambassador added.
Azerbaijani officials have not publicly responded to the Iranian offer. Baku has running export commitments to Georgia and Russia, and has repeatedly indicated that it is looking to diversify its export options.
