Trying to prevent development of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regional relations with its Arab and non-Arab neighbors is one of the long-term strategies of the Zionist regime to weaken Iran’s position in the region, which it considers to be the most important strategic threat against itself. In this regard, the Zionist regime seizes every opportunity to destroy the foreign relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and does not avoid any attempt to disrupt Iran’s foreign relations, especially in the two areas of economic-trade and political-security cooperation.

The Zionist newspaper “Jerusalem Post” publishing a report wrote: This agreement is important and can give Iran more power over Central Asia and bring Iran closer to Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan. … The subject of the gas swap contract is not just the transfer of several million cubic meters of gas, and other aspects of the agreement should be considered as a step forward in changing the equations of the regional gas market. Implementation of this agreement can have major consequences in the coming years.

Iran-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan tripartite gas swap agreement

Recently, in line with the policy of developing “neighborly relations”, we have witnessed conclusion of a “gas swap” agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

“Gas swap” transactions mean that the government or the private sector receives gas at one border from a neighboring country and deliver it to individuals, companies or the intended country at the other border. Therefore, the gas swap is a completely different matter from the transit of gas through the pipeline.

Terms of the contract

According to what was signed by the oil ministers of the three countries of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the sidelines of the recent 15th ECO Summit, Turkmenistan will sell 5 to 6 million cubic meters of gas per day (equivalent to 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters per year) to the Republic of Azerbaijan, which will be delivered to Azerbaijan by Iran. In simple words, Iran will receive gas from Turkmenistan in the Sarakhs region for its domestic consumption and will deliver the equivalent of the same gas to Azerbaijan through its gas network in Astara. The contract will be implemented from the beginning of the month of Dey (December-January) for an indefinite period.

Importance and benefits of gas swaps

The Tehran-Ashgabat-Baku gas contract is a win-win deal. The importance of the gas swap should be sought in the “achievements” that entail for the three contracting countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In general, the agreement, regardless of economic benefits, promotes multilateral relations and regional cooperation; an issue that is in line with the foreign policy framework and roadmap of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region; as such in spite of reasonable competitions, interaction and cooperation with neighbors are warmly welcomed.

This agreement in both economic and political fields contains benefits and achievements for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Economic benefits

– Facilitating process of turning Iran into the energy hub of the region due to the long contract period;

– Resolving concerns related to fuel supply in the five northern and northeastern provinces of the country;

– Resuming gas interactions with Turkmenistan after a five-year paus;

– Expanding economic cooperation with neighboring countries;

– Encouraging domestic and foreign investments;

– Reducing effectiveness of sanctions due to the entry into regional agreements in the field of energy;

– Expanding related commercial activities domestically;

– Providing possibility of using the TANAP gas pipeline, which transfers the Shah Deniz Baku gas field to Turkey and Europe via Tbilisi and Erzurum.

Political benefits

– Consolidating and strengthening Iran’s political relations with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan;

– Improving bargaining power in the current and advancing equations in the region with regional and international actors;

– Increasing political weight and maneuverability power of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially in the ​​Central Asia and the South Caucasus regions;

– Demonstrating a favorable and reasonable model of the Islamic Republic of Iran for competition and cooperation together;

– Taking a step forward in guaranteeing the national interests of the country.

Of course, this agreement is not limited to the transfer of 2 billion cubic meters of gas between the three countries, but in addition, the gas swap with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan also has a strategic advantage for the Islamic Republic of Iran. This agreement will facilitate the process of connecting Iran to the Azure axis. The Azure axis connects Afghanistan to the heart of Europe, from which the Islamic Republic of Iran had previously been excluded.

Conclusion

The importance, opportunities and benefits of Iran’s gas swap with Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan have caused concern for the Zionist regime. Because this agreement is in opposition to the Zionist plans that seek to destroy and weaken Iran’s foreign relations, especially with Central Asian and the South Caucasus countries.

While the Zionist regime is trying to create a “divergence” between the Islamic Republic of Iran and neighboring countries, especially the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkey, the gas swap with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, while strengthening regional cooperation, contrary to what Tel Aviv aspires, facilitates the process of “convergence” and alignment between Iran and its neighbors.