A wave of criticism continues in Iran against the agreement between Moscow and Tehran to build a gas pipeline through Azerbaijan to transport Russian gas. The leading Iranian newspaper Jahan-e Sanat published an article titled “The Strange Problem with Russian Gas Exports,” in which analysts called the project one of the most disadvantageous for the Islamic Republic.

In the publication, experts ask why a country with some of the world's largest natural gas reserves decided to import Russian gas instead of increasing its own production and exports.

"Have the Iranian authorities admitted that Iranian gas will never be extracted from the seas and deserts for sale to India or other countries?" — the authors of the article ask.

Analysts also call the deal unfounded and say it could lead to Iran's continued reliance on Russian gas to meet domestic demand.

The criticism also concerns Russia's investment commitments. According to Iranian experts, the Russian company Gazprom, instead of investing in the development and modernization of the Iranian gas industry, is allegedly trying to push Iran out of the global gas market. This is particularly dissatisfying in the context of the Islamic Republic's attempts to strengthen its position in the international energy arena.

The government-controlled economic publication Tejarat News also harshly criticized the agreement, calling it proof of Iran’s dependence on Russian gas. Moreover, the article emphasized that the agreement with Moscow could weaken Tehran’s position in key markets, including India and China, which are interested in importing Iranian gas.