Iran, which has the largest natural gas reserves in the world, could potentially export 25 billion to 30 billion cu m (bcm) of natural gas to 12 European nations, a report said.

“Iran is seeking a way to export gas to Europe by cooperating with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan,” Azizollah Ramezani, the deputy head of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), was quoted as saying in the Iran Daily report, which cited Shana.

Iran currently controls 1.5 per cent of global gas trade, which figure will increase to 10 per cent by 2025, Ramezani added, noting that Iran’s gas export balance was 3.4 bcm for 2014.

“Iran exported 9.75 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in 2014, while gas import amounted to 6.32 bcm,” he said.