Probable cancellation of international sanctions makes it possible for Iran to participate in the Russian project Turkish stream. The government is preparing for sanctions' lifting and considering the best ways of energy supply. Europe is one of the most stable markets, so the joint use of the Turkish stream will be a beneficial cooperation for Iran.
Using the pipeline, it will be possible to arrange regular gas deliveries to consumers from European countries, as it was reported by Azizullah Ramazani, the Director of International Relations of the National Iranian Gas Company. Considering special territorial factors of the country, the Iranian government supposes that the Russian gas pipeline is the best route among six ones proposed.
However, Tehran is considering other options of transporting its gas to Europe - through Turkey, through the Black Sea, through Iraq, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea but these paths lost out to the economic feasibility.
The new gas pipeline is designed to deliver Russian natural gas to Turkey from the Russkaya compressor station near Anapa, across the Black Sea, to the village of Kiyikoy in the European part of Turkey, and then to the Turkish-Greek border in the area of Ipsila. Totally, the gas pipeline will have a capacity of 63 billion cubic meters per year. Construction of the first line have started in May this year and expected to be completed in December 2016. The only serious problem facing Iran is lifting of sanctions. That is why all actions are taken in mode of discussion and preliminary agreements. The final decision will be only taken when the influence of international sanctions is suspended.
