SHANA-- Iran's export of natural gas rose by 64% in the first 5 months of the current Iranian calendar year which began on March 21.

Director of International Affairs at the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Behzad Babazadeh said Iran has brought its gas exports to neighboring Iraq from 7 mcm/d to 14mcm/d over the first 100 days of President Rouhani's second term in office.

"NIGC is required to send only 7mcm/d of gas to Iraq but it has risen the gas export volumes to the country in summer due to their demand," he said.

Based on a gas export deal between Tehran and Baghdad, Iran can increase the volume of exports to 35 mcm/d which will be possible once Iran Gas Trunkline VI (IGAT VI) as well as new phases of the supergiant South Pars Gas Field come online, he added.

Moreover, the country's gas exports stood at 50 mcm/d during the 5 months which us 64% more than the same period last year.