SHANA -- Iran�s Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said, for Iran, export of gas is an economic, political and security necessity.

According to the Iranian parliament�s website, �Gas export is an economic necessity and also a political and security one for the country, which generates energy and its exports brings the country income and employment.�

He said the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum is considering export of LNG shipments given the fact that the country enjoys the world�s largest natural gas reserves.

�However, exports would be considered only after supplying the domestic demand for the item as well as local petrochemical plants and steel industries,� he added.