FNA- Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Reza Araqi underlined that the country does not need Turkmenistan's gas as it does not affect the country's domestic needs.

"Gas imports (from Turkmenistan) are not for commercial purposes or to address domestic needs," Araqi, also managing director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), said on Saturday.

He reiterated that although Turkmenistan has disrupted gas exports to Iran, there is no special problem in the country.�

"Continued cooperation between Iran and Turkmenistan for gas swap depends on policy of the two governments; of course, gas negotiations between the two countries are underway," Araqi added.

A company in Turkmenistan unilaterally halted gas exports to Iran earlier in January. The gas was to meet part of gas needs of northern Iranian provinces.