SUMMARY:Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganehindicated on Wednesdaythat Iran is halting a flagship pipeline project: The contract for supplying gas to Pakistan is likely tobe annulled.Zanganeh, speaking on the sidelines of a gas forum in Tehran, did not offer further details.
The multi-billion-dollar pipeline is almost complete on the Iranian side, but construction of the 780-kilometer (485-mile) section in Pakistan has been hindered over financing and US pressure on Islamabad.
Tehran has already constructed more than 900 of the 1100 kilometers of the pipeline inside Iran.
Iranian media had hailed the visit of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in March, inaugurating the border section of the pipeline, as a breakthrough for the project. Their optimism soured this month, however, with claims that Islamabad asked Tehran this month for $2 billion to advance construction.
Zanganehs statement followed a declaration by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry this week that Islamabad is still pursung the pipeline: It should be seen in the context of acute energy crisis that we have in our country.
The initial proposal was for a 2700-kilometer (1700-mile) pipeline to supply gas for Pakistan and India, but Delhi declined to join talks. In 2011, Iran and Pakistan declared they would proceed.
Latest Updates, Most Recent First
Mixed News on Inflation Annual Rate at 36%
The Iranian Statistical Centerhas issued a mixed reporton inflation: the annual rate has increased slightly to 36.2%; however, the trend is downwards, with point-to-point inflation falling by 4.7% to 32.3%.
Police Chief: New Programs to Strengthen Border Guards After 14 Killed by Insurgents
Irans Chief of Police, Esmail Ahmadi Moqaddam, has said thatnew programs are underwayto strengthen border units, days after the revelation that Sunni insurgents had killed 14 guards in the southeast of the country.
The group Jaish ul-Adl, formed last year, attacked the border guards near Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
SeeIran Spotlight: Sunni Insurgent Group Jaish ul-Adl Claims Responsibility For Attack On Border Guards
Police are considering how to reinforce the regional law enforcement units, stage exercises, upgrade the training level, and accelerate border sealing, Ahmadi Moqaddam said on Wednesday.
He blamed foreign powers for sponsoring the attack, The enemy is not happy to see the Islamic Republic of Iran is a safe place.
By Ea World View
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