Turkey’s Shift to Turkmen Gas Amid US Sanctions on Iran
Economist Ziad Al-Hashemi has confirmed that, in anticipation of potential US sanctions on Iran, Turkey is gradually reducing its reliance on Iranian gas and turning to Turkmen gas instead. In this context, Iraq is seeking to expedite the flow of Turkmen gas through Iran.
Al-Hashemi stated that the first deliveries of Turkmen gas to Turkey are expected to commence next month via a pipeline that traverses Azerbaijan and Georgia, with an initial supply of 2 billion cubic meters annually earmarked for the Turkish Potash Energy Company. This project is positioned as a first phase, with the capacity for future expansion.
He emphasized that Turkey is taking US economic threats against Iran seriously and is proactively enhancing its energy security by implementing this agreement with Turkmenistan. This move effectively sidelines Iran’s role in gas transit, despite the existence of an operational pipeline between Iran and Turkey.
According to Al-Hashemi, the agreement with Turkmenistan will secure Turkey’s access to consistent gas supplies that remain uninfluenced by international sanctions or geopolitical tensions. It will also simplify transaction processes for gas purchases, mitigating American interference. Additionally, this development will enable Turkey to diversify its energy sources further and reduce dependence on Iran amid rising tensions.
Over recent years, Turkey has transformed from a net importer of gas into a crucial energy hub, facilitating the import and export of gas from various countries through multiple pipelines. The country has also been receiving liquefied natural gas from Algeria, Qatar, and the United States, subsequently exporting it to Europe via the Turkish Stream pipeline.
Al-Hashemi further indicated that, in 2024, Turkey is projected to diminish its imports of Iranian gas significantly, sourcing alternatives to avoid disruptions and the risks associated with US sanctions on engagements with Iran.
In light of these developments, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani has reached out to Turkmenistan, urging a swift activation of existing contracts to secure gas supplies through Iran. There remains hope that Iraq can secure exemptions from sanctions to maintain its access to gas supplies.
In summary, Turkey is strategically navigating the shifting landscape of energy supply routes, while Iraq is also adapting its strategies in response to the anticipated impacts of US sanctions on Iran.
