Iran says gas pipeline to Turkey 'possibly sabotaged'

'The explosion of the gas export pipeline to Turkey was not natural and there is a possibility of sabotage,' said Reza Kasai Zadeh, NIGC managing director.

'The cause of the explosion is under study but primary evidence indicates a sabotage,' he said, adding that it was the first time that such an explosion occurred on Iranian soil.

He said the explosion occurred yesterday at 1855 GMT, the semi-official news agency Mehr reported on Friday.

'We predict that the gas flow to Turkey is back on track over the next two or three days,' he added.

Iranian state television reported that the flames had been put out this morning.

'The fire, two kilometers away from the border gas transportation station at Bazargan town has been controlled and extinguished,' said the governor of the border town of Makou in West Azerbaijan province, Safar Asari. AFX

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