The domineering system has turned no stone unturned to annihilate the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Global Arrogance, spearheaded by the US, has hatched and put into effect many plots against the Islamic Republic, but the Islamic Republic of Iran has become stronger every year. In this episode, we will discuss Iran's activities in the field of energy supply and security.
The economy of energy, especially gas industry, is considered a key factor in the geo-economy of West Asia. According to the studies of Gas Exporting Countries Forum, half of the energy consumption in the world will be secured by natural gas within the next 25 years. With respect to the increase of energy consumption, the demand for natural gas will grow 50% within the same period. This growth of demand will occur mainly in production of electricity in China, India and the West Asian region. Studies have revealed that the members of Gas Exporting Countries Forum have 40% of the global gas market. It is predicted that this figure will not change for the next 25 years. Gas export will increase 60% in this period, two thirds of which will be done via pipeline and the rest in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Presently, Russia is the most important exporter of gas via pipeline and Qatar is the main exporter of LNG in the world. It is predicted that from 2020 on, Iran will have a determining role in the field of gas transit. The main destinations of gas export are Europe, China and India.
According to researches, the Islamic Republic of Iran has the largest reserves of oil and gas collectively. Currently, there are many plans for gas transit from Central Asia to European markets. Meanwhile, the most economical and secure transit route goes through the Iranian soil. Plus, there are huge gas reserves in the Persian Gulf for which Iran is the best transit route to the consumption markets.
The situation and capacities of the Persian Gulf region, such as the Pars Special Economic Zone, with its trans-regional access, has turned Iran into an economic hub and a center of energy transit. Makran coastal region in Baluchestan province, due to a thorough overlook on the Sea of Oman and Indian Ocean and being located on the route to Strait of Hormuz, adds to the strategic significance of the region. Investment in these regions has long been the focus of attention for countries like China and India as the great consumers of energy in the world.
The Iranian coastlines along the Persian Gulf in the south and the Caspian Sea in the north are connected to the sources of energy. This unique situation has facilitated the construction of infrastructures and installations of production and transfer of gas and even safe and environment-friendly investment on new energies like nuclear energy. Urban Rusnák, Secretary General of Energy Charter Treaty, says, "The Islamic Republic can play an active role in the field of oil, gas and electricity, hosting different sessions of the Charter and cooperation for compilation of energy regulations in the arena of global energy transactions."
The unique geographical location of Iran has made it the best bridge to link the east with the west and the north with the south. It is the best link between the consumer nations and the producers. Another important factor which is the cause of jealousy for ill-wishers, such as the US and the Zionist regime of Israel, is the security and stability of the Islamic Republic which plays a very vital role in securing energy for consumer countries. This gains further importance once we consider that the security condition and political stability of many energy producing countries in West Asia are the prime concern of big consumers such as China. There are few (if any) among the main energy producing nations which have all of the three features. The Islamic Republic is an exception in this respect.
The diplomatic and geostrategic developments of recent years in the world, especially in West Asia, have made Iran's role more effective to the extent that many pundits have admitted this fact. European think tanks like, Research Center for East European Studies at the German University of Bremen, German Association for East European Studies, and The Center for Security Studies in Switzerland, have released reports on the importance of Iran for the nations of Caucasus and the grounds of cooperation between these two.
They make it clear that although Donald Trump made the fate of the Iran nuclear deal obscure, Iran's role remains important and strategic and continues to affect important infrastructural projects in the region.
Hamed Kazemzadeh, senior researcher with the Centre for East European Studies at the University of Warsaw, writes, "After the Soviet dissolution, Iran's role as a bridge between the two main regions of energy production in the world, namely the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, has been very vital."
Kazemzadeh notes that 70% of the world oil and gas reserves are located in the region between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf and Iran is the only bridge between these two water bodies. This writer adds, "Therefore, the model within the framework of 3+3+1, will guarantee cooperation among three Caucasian countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, three powers of Russia, Turkey and Iran, and the European Union; and will connect the countries which produce, transit and consume energy."
Kazemzadeh makes it clear that it is impossible to imagine the future of European energy without Iran.
The signing of Memoranda of understanding by European officials such as Austria, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Hungry with Iran indicates the enthusiasm of European consumers for projects of energy transit from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
Yana Zabanova, former analyst of German Institute for International and Security Affairs,believes that these routes can turn Iran into a medium country for transit of goods between South Asia and Europe. Zabanova stressed that Armenia and Azerbaijan are eager to be connected to Iran via ground routes and Tehran will benefit from this very much. The route suggested by Armenia will link Iran with the Black Sea and South Europe and the route suggested by Azerbaijan will link Iran with North Europe.
A Georgian expert says that Iran, with 80 million people, the 18th economic ranking in the world and rich oil and gas reserves, is a good option for making variety in the energy sources of Georgia.
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