Explosion halts Iran gas imports to Turkey

Turkey says an explosion at a pipeline has temporarily cut natural gas supplies from Iran.

The governor's office for Agri province, where the explosion occurred late yesterday, says Kurdish rebels are suspected of sabotaging the pipeline. The gas flow was immediately cut and no one was hurt in the explosion.

An Energy Ministry official told the AP Friday that repairs to the pipeline were under way and gas supplies would resume in a week.

He says Turkey is compensating with increased gas imports from Azerbaijan and Russia.

Kurdish rebels have attacked pipelines close to the border with Iraq and Iran in the past as part of their campaign for autonomy.

AP