To dominate the regional energy markets, Iran requires a much more dynamic diplomacy, a senior energy security analyst said.
"Establishing close diplomatic relations with the neighboring states, namely Pakistan and Turkmenistan, can definitely help the country introduce its strategic commodities like natural gas and energy to overseas markets," Omid Shokri Kalehsar was also quoted as saying in an interview with ILNA on Monday.
Pointing to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, Shokri noted that even if the venture does not take off, it will give India and Pakistan bargaining power in future negotiations over gas and liquefied natural gas with Iran as they can count on other suppliers.
TAPI is a 1,800-kilometer stretch of pipeline planned to transfer natural gas from Turkmenistan to India.
Asked about the effects of the initiative on Iran's gas exports, he added that currently Pakistan has increased its LNG imports from Qatar and Russian gas major Gazprom is conducting feasibility studies to export LNG to the country.
"Such scenarios, along with TAPI, will take a heavy toll on Iran as it will have to grapple with formidable challenges to enter lucrative international markets like India and China," he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony to start TAPI last week in Afghanistan, the analyst said Pakistan also signed a contract to import electricity from Turkmenistan in addition to gas while the country has been importing power from Iran for a long time.
"It is very probable that as soon as gas export commences, Pakistan will put an end to its electricity import from Iran, which will be another loss for a country whose installed power capacity amounts to 77,000 megawatts," he said.
Commenting on the US and Saudi animosity toward Iran, he noted that they will also do everything in their power to limit Iran's dominance in the regional power and gas markets.
According to the analyst, US administrations have strongly supported the construction of TAPI during the last 20 years with the aim of marginalizing Iran's energy market.
Shokri concludes that improving bilateral relations with neighboring states is the best policy to secure presence in international markets.
