News - Middle East: Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran is ready to become an energy hub and a secure conduit for gas distribution and transit between producers and markets.

Raeisi made the remarks while addressing the 7th summit of the leaders of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in the Algerian capital, Algiers on Saturday.
Highlighting Iran's abundant natural gas reserves, strategic geographical location, and advanced technological capabilities, Raeisi outlined Tehran's regional strategy focused on augmenting natural gas production and exports.
He emphasized Iran's commitment to providing regional nations with enhanced access to this clean and economically valuable energy source.
"Relying on its huge reserves of natural gas, its transit position and high technology, the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation with all countries in the global gas market, especially the neighboring countries from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf and its neighbors in the East and the West to find a role that fits these capacities," he emphasized.
He further stressed that the capacities within Iran's gas industry have laid a solid foundation for collaboration among GECF members in both upstream and downstream sectors of natural gas, as well as in its trade.
The Iranian president extended invitations to international investors, as well as those from GECF member countries, to participate in Iran's energy sector projects, particularly in the natural gas industry.
The GECF, comprised of 13 permanent members and seven observers, was established in 2008 based on an initial proposal by Iran as one of the world’s largest holders of natural gas reserves.