Tehran, Islamabad Go With Pipeline Despite Threats
From DW
The Pakistani and Iranian presidents have inaugurated a joint pipeline project despite threats of sanctions. The Iranian gas will help its neighbor meet its energy needs as blackouts become increasingly frequent.
The idea to supply Pakistan with natural gas from Iran is not new. The two countries started developing a joint project in 1994, signing a preliminary agreement one year later.
In 1999, India also signed a similar agreement with Iran but abandoned the project 10 years later citing high costs and security matters.
The US government has repeatedly criticized the joint project, putting Islamabad under pressure to abandon it because of Iran’s nuclear program.
“We have serious concerns if this project actually goes forward that the Iran Sanctions Act would be triggered,” Victoria Nuland, spokeswoman of the US State Department, said on Monday.
