The upcoming winter makes EU officials search for alternative energy shipment options. A proposal to import natural gas from Iran is seen as a variant. An anonymous source in the European Commission said that the country is considered a reliable supplier in the long term. Supporters of this option say that this is a real opportunity on the back of a growing tension in relations with Russia. Moreover, Tehran is trying hard to improve relations with the West.
Opponents do not rule out this opportunity but provided that certain conditions are met. Cooperation will be established if two conditions are fulfilled. First, all sanctions should be lifted that were imposed on Iran because of its nuclear program. Furthermore, construction of gas infrastructure should be launched.
Taking into account these circumstances, it is safe to say that Europe will not start importing gas from Iran in the next few years. Experts believe that this is to happen no earlier than in 2020. In this case, analysts say Iran would be able to supply about 10-20 billion cubic meters of gas annually provided that the necessary gas transit network is built.
Currently, Russia remains the EU’s largest gas supplier providing it with more than a third of total supplies. Exports volume from Russia is estimated at $80 billion. At the same time, Iran is importing relatively small amount of gas though it has the world's second largest reserves after Russia. 90% of Iran's gas exports goes to neighboring Turkey.