TEHRAN -- Turkey's Energy Minister Zeki Cakan last week announced that Ankara had suspended imports of natural gas from the Islamic Republic since June, stressing that the flow would only resume when the composition of the gas is brought in line with the contract.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Islamic Republic, as indicated by the remarks of the Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zanganeh who said on Saturday, Turkey had to pay damages if it maintained its suspension of Iranian gas imports.

While Zanganeh says the real reason for the suspension of the gas flow is Turkey's economic woes, as already cited by Turkish officials, it appears that there are several other problems that have made Ankara turn off the tap on the 577-kilometer pipeline that runs from the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz to the Turkish capital city of Ankara.

Tehran Times has made an interview with the Head of Majlis Energy Commission Dr. Hossein Afarideh on the issue: Q: Dr. Afarideh, what do you think has caused the recent problem for Iran-Turkey gas deal? Is the claim by Turkish officials true or not? A: The claim by Turkish officials that Iranian gas is sub-standard is merely a pretext, because it is common knowledge all over the world that Iranian gas is of a high quality, and meets the international standards.

Q: And what is the pretext? Why Turkey that has always enjoyed good relations with the Islamic Republic has risked the danger of disrupting the deal? A: Turkey needed Iranian gas in winter, and we tried to live up to our promises to pomp Iranian gas to the country despite all the problems we were faced with. However, it seems that they do not need the gas in summer, and provide their energy needs from other sources.

Q: Does this mean that Turkey has pinned hope on such projects as Baku-Ceyhan route? Is there any possibility that this project would ever be implemented? A: I believe Turkey's suspension of Iranian gas deal is temporary, particularly when considering the prevailing economic crisis inflicting the country, and that it is still summer. The fact that Ankara is not meeting its gas needs through Iran is a sign that the country is seeking to look for other sources. Besides, Iran is not the only exporter of natural gas to Turkey.

Q: How do you evaluate Turkey's decision on mutual gas deal with Iran with the emphasis by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and several Turkish high-ranking officials to promote mutual bonds in their recent visits to the Islamic Republic? A: The decision was very unexpected for us. We should wait and see if the suspension is for the long run or not. Furthermore, Iran should launch a probe to see what has been the real reason behind the decision. Still, I hope the decision would be reversed soon.

Q: To what extent do you believe such world powers as the U.S. have influenced Ankara's decision on Iran gas deal? A: It is crystal clear that the U.S. is against Iran's development and progress toward prosperity, and has always tried to undermine Iran's gas export projects.

However, I believe that Iran and Turkey, as two Muslim nations with several common cultural and historical affinities, still need to promote mutual ties to further guarantee their interests.

Therefore, we expect Turkey to try to maintain its good relations with the Islamic Republic, and help the promotion of mutual economic bonds.

Q: How much, Dr. Afarideh, do you think such decisions by the Turkish government would undermine mutual relations with Iran? A: These decisions would definitely have a negative impact on mutual relations between the two countries. However, experience has shown that such temporary disputes can always be resolved through negotiations. Tehran and Ankara should never allow these problems affect the development of mutual relations.

Q: What if the issue is not resolved through talks? A: We will declare our official objection to the measure, and will ask for damages if Turkey does not abide by its obligations regarding the gas deal. But I think that would be our last resort, and the issue will be settled before it is further complicated.

Oil Minister Zanganeh has threatened to claim Turkish compensation for suspending Iranian gas flow on quality grounds which the Islamic Republic has rejected, press said Sunday.

"In our talks with Turkish officials, they have announced the bad shape of the economy as the reason for not delivering on their commitment to import the Iranian gas in line with the contract," Zanganeh said.

Turkey's Energy Minister Zeki Cakan announced last week that his country had halted imports of natural gas from Iran via a pipeline since June 24. Ankara, he added, would resume the flow only if the composition of the gas is brought in line with the contract.

"While Turkish energy minister (Zeki Cakan) has cited Iran's gas as poor in quality, the state Turkish Oil and Gas Company (BOTAS) has rejected this claim," Zanganeh was quoted as saying.

He said the amount of the damage claim depends on the volume of Iranian gas projected for export to Turkey until the end of 2002.

Zanganeh said Turkey was under a burden of enormous gas contracts with several countries and this had made Ankara fail to deliver on its energy commitments with Iran.

Cakan said last Monday that Turkey was set to inaugurate a gas pipeline with Russia in October.

Iran and Turkey launched in December a 2,577-kilometer pipeline, running from the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz to Ankara, which supplies gas from fields in southern Iran near the Persian Gulf.

Under a 30-billion-dollar deal, sealed during the tenure of Turkey's former prime minister Necmettin Erbakan, Iran would initially supply three billion cubic meters (105 billion cubic feet) of gas a year and increase it gradually to 10 billion cubic meters (350billion cubic feet) in 2007. Iran has hailed Turkey as "a gateway for the export of Iranian natural gas to European markets."