### Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey Gas Route

Potentially, a gas pipeline route through Iran could be an alternative to the trans-Caspian pipeline for exporting Turkmen gas to Turkey. However, at present, the US opposes such a pipeline. In addition, Iran's notoriously high transit fees are a drawback of the Iranian route in the short term. Also, in the longer run, Iran may want to export its own gas to Turkey, and could, therefore, have a conflict of interests in transporting Turkmenistan gas to the same market.

On balance, Turkey appears to favor the trans-Caspian route; but it is badly in need of gas and will support whatever line materializes first.

Iran Gas Links