Turkey Suspends Gas Imports from Turkmenistan via Iran Under US Pressure

Amid growing disruptions in commercial sea routes and oil trade, which affects global energy security, Turkey is accelerating its green initiatives. These measures include developing energy storage systems, carbon trading, and clean maritime technologies ahead of the UN Climate Summit next month.

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy recorded 28 confirmed and registered attacks over the past month, and 113 since the war between the US and Israel involving Iran began on February 28th. October was the toughest month in history for attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters.

According to data from the International Maritime Organization, the total number of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East reached 120, affecting approximately 20,000 sailors, port workers, and offshore platform employees. The Strait of Hormuz is a critically important route for transporting oil and liquefied natural gas, making its stability vital for energy-importing economies.

Ahead of the COP31 conference, which will take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20, Ankara aims to increase renewable electricity generation. To achieve this, the country is establishing a local carbon trading system and helping industries prepare for upcoming changes. The summit will bring together governments, businesses, and civil society to discuss climate change mitigation measures and fulfill existing commitments.

Turkey's proposed initiatives cover areas such as battery energy storage, renewable energy certificates, electric tugboats for ports, waste reduction, and coastal ecosystem protection.

The operator of Turkey's organized energy markets, Energy Exchange Istanbul, known as Epias, reported that as of October 10, the country's installed electrical capacity was 127.3 gigawatts, with renewables accounting for approximately 62 percent of the total. Taha Melih Arvas, CEO of Epias, told Middle East Eye that the next important step is increasing the capacity for storing energy generated from renewable sources. He emphasized that Turkey, overall, is increasing battery capacity to use this energy to ensure baseload supply from renewable energy.

Epias also manages the YEK-G system, a renewable energy origin guarantee, which issues, trades, and retires certificates related to renewable electricity production. These certificates allow businesses to document the renewable electricity they have purchased.

Furthermore, Turkey has announced the creation of a national emissions trading system, which will allow companies covered by the system to exchange quotas related to greenhouse gas emissions. The pilot launch of the system is planned for 2026 and 2027. However, in 2026, the system will operate in monitoring mode according to current rules: companies will have to report their emissions but will not be required to surrender quotas. The pricing mechanism will become effective in 2027.

Mustafa Aydın, Deputy CEO of Epias for Environmental and Mineral Markets, told MEE that participating industries can use revenues generated through this system to support investments in their transition. Turkey's emissions trading system is also being developed in connection with preparing exporters for the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. These regulations are significant for Turkey, as its producers actively export goods to European markets. Companies that cannot provide reliable emission data or demonstrate carbon content in their products may face increased compliance costs.

Arvas noted that Epias is assisting domestic companies in understanding new requirements and preparing for changes. Turkey's preparations also extend to maritime transport, where battery-powered vessels offer an alternative to traditional diesel propulsion for port operations. In Tuzla, the company Navtek Naval Technologies designs and manufactures zero-emission, battery-powered ZeeTug tugboats. The company reports that four such vessels are already in operation. The tugboats help maneuver and tow ships in ports, and electric propulsion reduces direct exhaust emissions and noise during operation.

Christian Mensah, advisor to the Zero Waste Fund and former Secretary of the Governing Board of UN-Habitat and Head of Intergovernmental Relations, discussed the link between waste prevention, food systems, urban development, and industrial activity within the climate agenda. Founded in 2023, the fund promotes initiatives focused on reducing food waste, methane reduction, improving resource efficiency, and the circular economy. Samed Agirbas, the fund's president, works to connect cities, businesses, investors, and civil society with the climate process. The fund proposed a platform in Istanbul to connect zero-waste projects with financing, progress measurement, and oversight of commitments made under COP31. This approach aims to move waste management beyond simple landfilling and recycling, shifting the focus to waste prevention, improved material utilization, and emission reduction at all stages of production and consumption.

Turkey's climate preparedness also includes projects to protect marine habitats along its Mediterranean coast. In the Fethiye-Göcek protected area, an initiative to install buoys and mooring spots aims to provide vessels with designated berthing locations, thereby reducing the need to drop anchors on sensitive seabed habitats. The Deria digital system maps and manages buoys and mooring spots to aid in protecting seagrass beds, which serve as a refuge and feeding ground for marine life and can store carbon in their biomass and seabed sediments. This area is also home to several wildlife species, including sea turtles, dolphins, and Mediterranean monk seals.

The Zero Waste Fund is preparing a protection plan for the Dalyan-Köşkekiz area, where Lake Köşkekiz connects to the Mediterranean Sea via the Dalyan canals. This landscape includes wetlands, forests, and the İrtuzu beach, which is an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles. The upcoming climate summit provides Ankara with an opportunity to present its plans for renewable energy, emissions trading, waste reduction, and coastal preservation to an international audience. For Turkey, the task is to demonstrate that its preparation for COP31 can lead to measurable changes in energy consumption, industrial emissions, and environmental protection. As attacks on shipping continue to threaten trade through the Strait of Hormuz, the arguments for more sustainable energy systems are becoming increasingly inseparable from the broader transition to climate resilience.

In mid-October 2026, two key border crossings between Pakistan and Iran—Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan—were closed on October 17. The government of the Balochistan province in Pakistan attributed this move to security concerns and the need to curb smuggling, while Iran cited technical issues. Although some sources speculated about pressure or sanctions from the US, Pakistan directly denied this.

The closure of these borders severely disrupted daily supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan. Pakistan imports approximately 7,000 metric tons of LNG daily from Iran, with over 4,000 tons coming only through Gabd-Rimdan. After the checkpoints stopped operating, hundreds of trucks were blocked on both sides; more than 4,500 metric tons of gas were stranded on the Iranian side. This immediately caused a shortage in the market and a sharp rise in prices.

Pakistan imports about 70 percent of its annual LNG requirement, which is around 2 million tons, while domestic production covers only about 30 percent, or roughly 2,000–2,500 tons per day. Iran was the main source of this gas because it was an accessible and nearby supplier. Since imports through ports are limited, dependence on land routes was high, and the border closure completely destroyed this supply chain.

Later, the Gabd-Rimdan crossing was reopened for some Pakistani export goods, such as potatoes and bananas, but LNG imports remain suspended. Negotiations are underway, but supplies have not yet been restored. As the cold weather intensifies, demand is rising, exacerbating the situation. Families require more LNG for cooking and heating, especially in mountainous and remote areas.

According to Reuters, the price of a 12-kilogram cylinder rose from 4,500 rupees to 7,000 Pakistani rupees ($25) in just a few days, and in some cities, it rose even higher—to 7,500 rupees in Lahore and up to 8,200 rupees in Skardu. Reports have emerged of sales at prices exceeding double the cost. Traders warn that prices could continue to rise if disruptions persist.

The ordinary citizen bears the brunt of this crisis. Previously affordable gas has become expensive, increasing the burden on family budgets. Complaints about speculation and stockpiling have been reported in some areas. Traders and transporters are also incurring losses due to blocked vehicles and the risk of cargo spoilage.

This crisis affects not only energy but also broad trade and diplomacy, as trade turnover between Pakistan and Iran is estimated in billions of dollars. The border closure has negatively impacted traders on both sides. Pakistan received cheaper LNG from Iran, which cost less than the international benchmark. Now, alternative sea routes are proving more expensive and time-consuming.

There are demands for the government to increase domestic production, accelerate imports from other countries, and improve pricing mechanisms. The industry side advocates for weekly or daily pricing to reflect the real market conditions. While acknowledging the need for security and control over smuggling, the needs of the population cannot be ignored. Given the rising demand in colder months, a swift resolution is critical.

Currently, both countries are in negotiations. Pakistan is trying to balance ensuring energy security with maintaining neighborly relations. If supplies are not restored soon, inflationary pressure may intensify, which will severely impact low-income families. There is a need to increase domestic production, improve inventory management, and develop alternative import routes.