The Central Asian country Turkmenistan is shipping natural gas to Turkey through Iran, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s official news agency, reported Thursday.

Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad announced the “start” of the gas flow, the report said. “Paknejad confirmed on Wednesday that the contract for this project has been finalized,” it said.

This was expected to happen by March 1, according to reports in February. Iran has now confirmed that the gas is flowing. “Turkmenistan begins shipping gas to Turkey via Iran,” IRNA reported.

This is a potentially important development, because it would further knit together the Iranian economy and Turkey. It would also give Iran leverage over this new gas corridor. This would let Iran sit astride a key east-west energy route.

Iran has also been investing in a north-south economic corridor that will link the Caucasus and Russia with the Persian Gulf. Tehran has engaged in a lot of outreach to Central Asian countries in recent years. This is part of a broader attempt by Iran to become more linked economically with BRICS countries, such as China, Russia, and India.

Tehran has also been working closely with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which it recently joined. Iran had been an observer at this economic group since 2005, but it has now become a member.

Iran’s path to the SCO went through Central Asia. During a speech at the SCO summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping supported Iran joining the group.

Iran’s role in the Turkmenistan-Turkey gas agreement is interesting. “Turkey and Turkmenistan have signed an agreement to facilitate the flow of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, marking a significant step in energy cooperation between the two nations, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said,” Reuters reported on February 11.

The deal is between “Turkey’s state-owned pipeline operator BOTAS and Turkmenistan’s Turkmengaz,” the report said. The goal was for gas to begin flowing by March 1.

“Turkey consumes more than 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year,” Reuters reported. “It relies on a mix of piped gas from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, along with liquefied natural-gas imports from various suppliers.”

Paknejad, the oil minister, believes Iran’s help in transiting the gas will strengthen ties with its neighbors. An estimated five million cubic meters of gas per day will transit Iran.

“Both countries are also discussing plans to increase this amount in the coming months,” IRNA reported.

Iran’s increased economic role in the region is important for Tehran. This helps it avoid sanctions and any attempt by the new US administration to apply maximum pressure.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this week called on Iranian ambassadors to improve Iran’s economic ties and reduce trade barriers.

“President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iranian ambassadors can play a key role in helping the country improve its foreign relations and overcome trade barriers,” IRNA reported.

Meeting with Nicaragua, Slovenia envoys

Pezeshkian discussed this in a recent meeting with Iran’s new envoys to Nicaragua and Slovenia.

“He expressed hope that the new envoys would work towards strengthening Iran’s international exchanges in various fields, including economy, politics, culture, science, and education,” IRNA reported. “Pezeshkian urged the ambassadors to present the true image of Iran in their host countries and to counteract efforts that promote negative views of the Islamic Republic.”