Iran and Turkmenistan Boost Ties with Focus on Energy and Transport Cooperation
gas
Iran and Turkmenistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in natural gas swaps and transportation, following a phone call between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow on February 10.
Energy and Infrastructure Agreements Strengthen Ties
Pezeshkian emphasized Iran’s strategic role in facilitating regional energy exchanges, underscoring the potential for expanding gas swaps, electricity exchange, and transportation between the two nations. He highlighted that regular joint commission meetings could significantly enhance economic collaboration.
Berdimuhamedow announced an agreement between Turkmenistan and Türkiye’s Botaş to transit Turkmen natural gas through Iran via a swap deal. Additionally, Turkmenistan has proposed a power transmission line from its Mary Power Plant to Iran’s border, further solidifying energy cooperation.
Türkiye Set to Import Turkmen Gas from March 1
On February 11, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that Türkiye will begin importing Turkmen gas on March 1, calling the agreement a key step in securing natural gas supply for Türkiye and the region.
Potential routes for Turkmen gas exports to Türkiye and Europe include:
- A direct swap via Iran
- A swap mechanism involving Iran and Azerbaijan
- A proposed Caspian Sea pipeline linking Turkmenistan to Türkiye via Azerbaijan
Regional Gas and Transport Networks Expanding
In July 2024, Turkmenistan and Iran signed a deal to swap 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to Iraq. To accommodate growing gas transit, Iranian companies are constructing a 125-km pipeline and three compressor stations to boost Turkmenistan-Iran gas swap capacity to 40 bcm annually.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Türkiye’s Botaş signed contracts in June 2024 to facilitate gas supply and transit between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Turkmenistan under the May 14 “Natural Gas Cooperation” agreement.
North-South Transport Corridor Gains Momentum
Beyond energy, Iran and Turkmenistan are also working with Russia and Kazakhstan to expand cargo transportation along the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). In January 2025, the four nations reaffirmed plans to increase cargo capacity from 10 million to 20 million tons by 2030.
The 7,200-km INSTC, launched in 2000 by Russia, India, and Iran, aims to provide an alternative to the Suez Canal, cutting cargo transit times between India, Russia, and Europe from six weeks to three weeks.
Berdimuhamedow proposed another session of the Turkmen-Iranian Joint Governmental Commission to advance partnerships in energy, transportation, and industry, reinforcing the two nations’ shared commitment to regional economic integration.
