Iran says Turkmenistan cuts of gas shipments over past debts

TEHRAN — Iran says Turkmenistan has cut off shipments of heating gas over past debts.

The Iranian Oil Ministry's website reported the dispute yesterday, urging consumers to limit their use to guard against shortages. The website did not provide further details on the amount of the debts.

Turkmenistan has been exporting gas to Iran under an agreement signed two decades ago, but occasionally raises its prices during the winter months. In 2006, it cut off shipments and demanded a nine-fold price increase. Iran eventually accepted the higher prices for a short period.

Gas-rich Iran produces some 700 million cubic meters of gas per day, all of which is consumed by the domestic market. Turkmenistan exports some 10 million cubic meters of gas per day to Iran.