BAGHDAD -- Iraq's oil minister has confirmed that Iraq and Iran have agreed "in principle" to build a pipeline to transport gas from Iran through Iraq to Syria's Mediterranean coast, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports.
Husayn al-Shahristani said on August 25 that the agreement would provide Iraq with good revenue for allowing Iranian gas to transit its territory.
Iraq's Oil Ministry discussed the project two weeks ago with a Tehran delegation headed by Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Jawad Ogi.
The two sides decided to hold further discussions on the technical details of the project through joint committees.
Shahristani said he told the Iranians they should allow Iraq to use some of the gas for its power plants to help reduce electricity shortages.
The two sides also agreed that Iraq could use the pipeline in the future to export its own gas once Iraqi gas fields are developed.