Moscow and Tehran have recently struck a deal to transport Russian gas to Iran through Azerbaijan, marking a significant development in their growing partnership. This energy pipeline, coupled with a newly finalized Russia-Iran cooperation pact, is a bold move by the two heavily sanctioned nations.

During a summit at the Kremlin on Jan. 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russia-Iran gas pipeline project is already in progress, following talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Although key details remain under negotiation, the energy pipeline has been approved, and talks on pricing and supply volumes are nearing completion, according to Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev. “The supplies would start small, with up to 2 billion cubic meters, but with an option to eventually increase annual shipments to Iran to up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas,” Tsivilev stated. Working groups have been established to address differing views between the two sides.

It is unclear whether new infrastructure would need to be built to supply gas along the Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran route, or if existing pipelines, such as the Novo-Filya pipeline (Russia to Baku, Azerbaijan) or the Hajigabul pipeline (Azerbaijan to Astara to Abadan, Iran), would be upgraded — a process that could require substantial investment. Regardless, the proposed route could eventually supply approximately 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year, comparable to the capacity of the damaged Nord Stream 1 pipeline.