Having referred to speculations on the cause of explosion in Nord Stream gas pipeline, Seyed Reza Mirtaher in an interview with the site of Strategic Council on Foreign Relations spelled out:” several gas leakages in the Nord Stream gas pipeline that used to carry Russian gas export to European countries, particularly Germany through Baltic Sea, caused serious concerns in Russia and Europe”.

He added:” although due to various reasons, the transfer of gas from the pipeline, particularly “Nord Stream I” has been halted, there was about 800 million cubic meters of gas in the pipeline when several leakages took place. The leakages will incur various hazards including environmental irreparable damages to Baltic region countries. The issue provoked grave concerns among European countries and Russians also demanded to set up a commission to review the case”.     

U.S. Interests

Having stated that the West accuses Russia and Russia has also reciprocally accused the West, particularly the U.S. of sabotage in the route of the gas pipeline, the analyst of international issues said:” when studying the extent of interests of parties involved on sabotage in the pipeline, it seems that the U.S. will take the maximum benefit because from the outset, the country was among the serious opponents of inauguration and operationalization of Nord Stream II gas pipeline which was built with the cost of $ 11 billion and its inauguration was coincided with Ukraine war and Germany did not actually operationalize the pipeline”.

Mirtaher continued:” Since Obama’s tenure of office, the U.S. insisted that Europe should reduce its dependence on Russian gas and instead, turn to purchase the U.S. liquid natural gas. For sure, if for any reason the transfer of Russian gas pipeline to Europe is subjected to sabotage, shortage or halt in operation, the opportunity will be given to the U.S. more than ever to seize the situation and to double its liquid natural gas export to Europe, an issue that is detrimental to Russia”.

Having reminded that in reaction to hostile measures taken by Europe, particularly imposition of sanctions, Russians sharply reduced the export of their oil and gas to Europe, he added:” the issue has fanned a major economic – social crisis in European countries and those industries like steel, aluminum, zinc, petrochemical industries and all industries that are run in a way or other with gas or electricity generated from gas power plants have suffered from hiatus or sharp decrease of their production. Moreover, it has been predicted that continuity of reduction in export of Russian gas to Europe will lead to increase of gas price to about 5000 euro for a cubic meter”.

The expert of international affairs stressed:” in such a situation, it is unlikely that Russians were involved in sabotage. They claim they have acquired evidences that indicate the American elements, including their task forces, ships and boats were seen around the pipelines in Adriatic Sea which has strongly supported the possibility of the U.S. sabotage”.

Expensive U.S. Gas Export to Europe

Mirtaher said:” regardless of the reason for the gas leakage, the U.S. takes the most benefit from the incident. In such a situation, German Minister of Economy proclaimed:” Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exported from the U.S. to Europe is extremely expensive. This will exert double pressure on European countries that seek for gas from the U.S.  Basically, among the reasons why Europeans, from the Soviet Union era till now, have used Soviet and then Russian gas were the existence of pipelines as well as their low price gas which is considered very vital for Europeans and their industries”.

He noted:” now, the golden era is over and having considered that practically there are not too much gas exported from Russia to Europe, they are bound to approach other suppliers which they by themselves, have no access particularly in short term. Moreover, they can not meet the European consumption too. the issue has made a major crisis for European countries, and in view of sabotage in the Nord Stream Pipeline, the catastrophic situation has become more critical”.

Having referred to the remarks made by Richard Black, former American Senator saying as the explosion of Nord Stream pipeline was done by CIA with the consent of German Chancellor, and led by Olaf Schultz, gas imports to Germany has come to halt, the analyst of international issues continued:” Germany has been the largest loser of the sabotage, and it does not seem that they will ever take any action for gas suicide and to close down the energy flow that they are in dire need”.

U.S. Seeks for Further European Dependence         

Mirtaher pointed out to consequences originated from Ukraine war to Europe and reminded:” for sure, the U.S. is not willing to see a strong and powerful Europe and thus seeks for a weakened Europe that is completely depended on the U.S. in all areas, particularly on vital issues. If Americans repeatedly blamed Europeans why they were depended on Russian gas, the case is the same with them too and it must be asked whether the European dependence on the U.S. gas is considered to be positive that Americans are now seeking for?

He underscored:” for Europeans, dependence on the U.S. gas will not only be very costly, but also will be coupled with numerous consequences and difficulties for them; problems that did not exist when Russian gas used to be exported to Europe. Now, Europeans are the main losers of Ukraine war and the EU confrontation with Russia”.

According to the international analyst, Europeans have been victimized by the U.S. Like the World War II, the U.S. will never be impressed directly by dangers emanated from war; in this case too, it is again Europeans who have to suffer from costs of confrontation and the U.S. proxy war with Russia at the cost of losing their welfare, benefits and blessings that people and citizens of Europe have been enjoying so far.