September 29, 2006, RFE/RL -- An overnight explosion damaged Iran's natural-gas export pipeline to Turkey, bringing deliveries to a halt.

The head of Iran's national gas company, Reza Kasaeizadeh, confirmed Turkish reports about the blast, saying a preliminary investigation indicates it could be the result of an "act of sabotage."

The border region where the blast occurred is reportedly a stronghold of Kurdish militants.

Kasaeizadeh said the gas flow to Turkey could resume "within two to three days."

Turkey's Botas pipeline company confirmed that gas deliveries have come to a halt.

Turkish media quoted Agri district officials as saying the blast took place 1 kilometer south of the Iranian border town of Bazargan.

Up to 22 million cubic meters of natural gas are pumped daily through the Iran-Turkey pipeline.

(Mehr, Anadolu, NTV)