TEHRAN: The European Union has taken the first steps toward importing natural gas from Iran, hoping to boost the country’s energy security. The EU’s desire to tap into Iran’s energy reserves is a key reason why President Barack Obama says the deal reached last year to limit Iran’s nuclear program was the best he could get. Finding a new source of energy became a priority after Russian President Vladimir Putin used natural gas to demand European acquiescence to his invasion of Ukraine and other geopolitical adventures.
A pipeline to import Iranian gas would reduce the continent’s dependence on both Russia and imports of expensive liquefied natural gas from the United States and other sources. The more sources of energy a country enjoys, the greater the energy security. EU High Representative Federica Mogherini met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on April 16 and announced their plans to cooperate on many levels, but energy was the most important.
