Turkiye’s acceleration of replacing Russian and Iranian pipeline gas with domestic production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States could shrink Tehran’s last major export market, Europe. Ankara could sharply reduce supplies from Iran and Russia by expanding LNG production and imports by 2028.

Axar.az reports, citing an analytical article published in Reuters.

It was recalled that Iran currently supplies Turkiye with about 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year under a contract that expires in mid-2026:

“As Ankara seeks greater flexibility and diversification, it is unlikely to renew the contract on the same terms. This move is related to the Turkish Ministry of Energy increasing domestic gas production and signing multi-billion-dollar LNG import contracts from the United States and Algeria.

According to estimates, Turkiye’s domestic production and contracted LNG imports will exceed 26 billion cubic meters per year by 2028. This will be enough to cover more than half of its estimated gas needs of 53 billion cubic meters per year. This will leave an import deficit of 27 billion cubic meters, which is significantly lower than the 41 billion cubic meters currently purchased under contracts from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan.

Although Turkiye claims to continue to buy gas from all existing suppliers, including Iran and Russia, its long-term strategy is focused on flexible LNG purchases rather than fixed pipeline contracts.”

It should be noted that US leader Donald Trump called on Turkiye to stop buying oil and gas from Russia.