Turkey halts Turkmenistan gas imports via Iran due to US sanctions

Turkey has been forced to suspend natural gas imports from Turkmenistan through Iran, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. The suspension is attributed to escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, as well as the involvement of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Turkey began importing Turkmen gas in March 2025 under an agreement for 1.3 billion cubic meters annually, but flows were interrupted in October 2025 following disputes over pricing and quantities. Minister Bayraktar noted that while Turkey was not making payments to Iran, the geopolitical situation involving the US has impacted the flows.

While Turkmenistan holds significant reserves that could meet Turkish and European needs, technical obstacles and maritime zone disputes in the Caspian Sea currently hinder the construction of a direct pipeline between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Turkish gas supply contracts with Iran are set to expire in November, with no official decision yet on whether Ankara will renew them.