Turkey-Iran gas pipeline blown up in Agri province

ANKARA 

The Turkey-Iran natural gas pipeline has been attacked in eastern Turkey’s Agri province, the country’s energy minister said late Monday.

The Governorship of Agri province has blamed the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for the attack.

It is reported that a blaze at the pipeline was shortly extinguished and that natural gas will flow again after repairs.

The PKK is listed by Turkey, the U.S. and EU as a terrorist organization.

According to a statement released by the Turkish Energy Ministry late Monday, Taner Yildiz said that the suspected sabotage attack took place 15 kilometers inside the country's eastern border with Iran.

"The explosion caused a fire; however in a short time we managed to extinguish it. After repairing it, the gas flow will resume," he said.

"We have taken measures to meet the natural gas demand in the area. Turkish citizens and industrialists should be at ease," he added.

Tehran increased gas deliveries to Turkey by one billion cubic meters of gas per year during 2014. Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan export about 10 billion cubic meters, 27 billion cubic meters and 6.6 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Turkey respectively.

The statement added that power lines between Cizre and Silopi districts of southeastern Sirnak province were attacked on July 24.