Iran has reportedly started building a $10 billion natural gas pipeline to Syria as part of efforts to boost its energy sector that has been battered by international sanctions.
As The Associated Press reports citing Iranian semi-official Fars news agency, the 1,500 kilometer (750 mile) pipeline will pass through Iraq before reaching Syria. According to the report, Iran began construction of the first phase of the project involving a 225 kilometer (140 mile) stretch at an estimated cost of $3 billion.
The entire project is to be completed in the second half of 2013. The deal was signed between Iran, Iraq and Syria last July.
Iran has the world's second largest natural gas reserves, estimated at 28 trillion cubic meters.
