First gas supplies from Russia to Iran to start this year

The first supplies of Russian gas to Iran via the existing infrastructure through Azerbaijan will start this year, their volume will reach to 1.8 billion cubic meters, price negotiations are currently underway, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov said at the 18th meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Iran, Tass reported.

"This year, the first part of this project, based on the existing infrastructure, will be implemented, and gas supplies to Iran will amount to 1.8 billion cubic meters," he said.

Later, he told reporters that supplies should begin this year, once the parties agree on the price. "Companies are currently discussing the price with each other. We do not interfere in commercial relations between companies," the minister noted.