Blast hits Iran-Turkey gas pipeline, cuts suppliesJuly 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |