  Blast hits Iran-Turkey gas pipeline, cuts supplies July 29, 2011 - 14:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A blast early Friday, July 29 hit a pipeline carrying natural gas from Iran to Turkey, forcing a cut in supply, an Iranian oil official said. "The export of gas to Turkey has been temporarily halted after an explosion struck the pipeline" in northwestern Iran, spokesman for National Iranian Gas Co. Majid Boujarzadeh told the oil ministry's news agency SHANA. According to Boujarzadeh, the explosion occurred near the Bazargan border crossing, in Iran's West Azerbaijan province. He said an investigation had been launched into the cause of the blast. Boujarzadeh said repair work on the pipeline was underway and expressed hope for a speedy resumption of the gas flow. It isn't the first time gas supplies to Turkey have been disrupted--in August 2010, the pipeline was damaged in a blast blamed on separatist armed Kurdish rebels. Iran, which has the second largest proven gas reserves in the world after Russia, exports about 30 million cubic meters of gas to Turkey a year, according to deputy oil minister and chairman of the NIGC, Javad Ouji, AFP reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan  A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia.U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel.Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |
