AiBotA contentious gas revenue dispute between Iran and Qatar has taken a dramatic turn, with Iran’s Former Foreign Minister and current representative in the Parliament, Manouchehr Mottaki, recently making a startling claim in a televised address: Qatar owes Iran $400 billion, not the previously stated $12 billion.
According to sources, the dispute revolves around Iran’s 50% share in the revenue generated by the shared South Pars gas field over the past 20 years. The South Pars field is the world’s largest natural gas reserve, spanning an area of around 28,000 square kilometers across Iran and Qatar.
In what appeared to be a candid disclosure, Iran’s current president, Ebrahim Raisi, reportedly informed the Emir of Qatar during a meeting that Iran had calculated its share in the revenue generated over the past two decades to be approximately $400 billion. However, sources indicate that the Emir was caught off guard by the figure and hastily shifted the subject of conversation.
This assertion has significant implications for the relationship between Iran and Qatar, both of which have historical and economic ties. Qatar’s swift change of subject in response to President Raisi’s claim has sparked speculation that Doha may be attempting to downplay the issue and avoid any potential financial repercussions.
The revelation has also drawn attention to the long-standing dispute over the revenue generated by the shared South Pars field. For years, Qatar and Iran have had difficulties resolving the issue of how the revenue generated from the field should be divided. This contentious issue has resulted in numerous failed negotiations and ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Manouchehr Mottaki, an experienced diplomat who served as Iran’s Foreign Minister from 2005 to 2010 and remains a high-ranking representative in the country’s parliament, has been actively pushing for the government to pursue the $400 billion claim. His involvement in this matter has lent credibility to Iran’s assertion that it is owed a substantial sum by Qatar.
As the dispute continues, concerns have been raised about the potential implications for the stability of the region. A prolonged and unresolved dispute over revenue generated by the South Pars field has the potential to strain diplomatic relations between the two sides and may even impact regional stability.
Iran’s claim has sparked widespread interest among international observers, many of whom are watching the situation closely. The dispute is set to continue, with both sides engaged in complex negotiations and discussions aimed at resolving the issue.
Meanwhile, the $400 billion claim is likely to have significant implications for regional energy politics, potentially creating a major rift between Iran and Qatar, one of the country’s key trading partners in the Middle East.