Iran and Pakistan start pipeline contruction against U.S. sanctions

Despite the threat of sanctions from the United States, the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project entered in its final phase of completion on Monday with the inauguration of its construction by the presidents of the two countries in the Iranian city of Chabahar.  

According to The Hindu newspaper, the presidents released a joint statement stating that the pipeline would merge the economic, political, and security ties of Iran and Pakistan, and be in the interest of progress and peace. 

The 1.5 billion dollar pipeline, which is over 1,680 km long, will run across the countries two borders. 21.5 million cubic metres of gas will be supplied from Iran to Pakistan every day, due to Pakistan’s lack of energy production. It is expected to be completed by December 2014.

Though the U.S. has placed sanctions against Iran’s oil and gas sector due to the country’s nuclear program, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that the pipeline is a symbol of determination against domination.