Iranian oil minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, said Iran will build up its natural gas supply to Armenia from 1mcm/d to 3mcm in the next few years, and will make gas supplies to Georgia through Armenian territory, Arka News Agency reported. This came as  Zanganeh is expected to visit Armenia soon to discuss increasing exports of natural gas to the country.

Furthermore, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Morteza Sarmadi, concurred the Islamic Republic’s readiness to broaden relations with Armenia in different economic fields including Iranian gas supply. Sarmadi said: “Iran is fully prepared to have close cooperation with Armenia in energy, transportation and transit fields.” His comments came on the sidelines of a meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Shavaresh Koucharian, in Tehran, according to Iran Daily.

Iran and Armenia have been recently intensifying efforts to promote their mutual relations. Imports of Iranian gas to Armenia in 2015 amounted to 383.1mcm worth $72.4m, up from 365.9mcm imported in 2014. Iran is currently exporting natural gas to Armenia and in return is getting electricity from the country to support demand in its northern provinces.