Iran�s envoy to Russia Kazem Jalali has denied reports suggesting that Tehran should obtain Russia�s approval before any decision to drill for natural gas in the Caspian Sea.

�Over the 20 months that I have served as ambassador in Russia there had been no such issue,� Jalai was quoted as saying on Tuesday by the official IRNA news agency.

�Unfortunately, some reports are published in the media space from time to time to influence Iran-Russia relations,� he said.

The comments came a day after an Iranian energy businessman said that Tehran had to obtain Russia�s consent for taking gas from eight major wells that are located in the Iranian waters in the Caspian Sea.

Ardeshir Dadras, who serves as president of Iran�s Syndicate of Compressed Natural Gas,�told the ILNA news agency on Monday that Iran and Russia had agreed that tap the Iranian gas wells in the Caspian Sea would only be possible if Iran�s demand for gas exceeds its output.

 

Source: Press TV