TEHRAN April 11(Shana)--A senior Iranian official has defended the price the country charges neighboring Turkey for natural gas exports.

�The price of Iran�s gas export to Turkey is good and this price formula follows the oil price. It varies as [oil] price increases or falls,� Hamid-Reza Araqi, managing-director of National Iranian Gas Company, said.

He said Turkey is Iran�s �best� customer, adding that Iran has always honored its obligations with regard to the delivery of gas to Turkey.

Araqi said even an international arbitration body voted in favor of Iran after Turkey filed a complaint against the gas price.
He said that Iran-Turkey gas deal is valid for 25 years.

By SHANA