The U.S. and some European opponents of Nord Stream 2 say it will make Europe too reliant on Russian gas, allowing Moscow to expand its political, economic and military influence. But other governments say it is vital to secure energy supplies, as gas prices surge and the threat of power outages looms.

NIOC has planned that, God willing, if the assumptions and requirements of these plans are provided, in the next 10 years, daily gas production will reach 1.5 billion cubic meters and crude oil production capacity will reach 5 million barrels.

In Tehran on 23 November, Mr Grossi met with Mohammad Eslami, the Vice President of Iran and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The UK does not support Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project to Germany

The IAEA Board of Governors is meeting at the Agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi addressed the Board on important issues, including Iran.

A meeting between His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Eslami, Vice-President and the Head of Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran (AEOI) and His Excellency Mr. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) took place on September 12, during his visit to Tehran.

On Sept. 6, Gazprom said that pipelaying work on the project had been completed and commercial operations are expected to begin before the end of 2021. Nord Stream 2 includes two strings of 27.5 Bcm.

Situated in southeast Venezuela, the Orinoco Belt contains some of the largest reserves of crude in the world, but the oil needs dilution and upgrading because of its extremely high viscosities and heavy metal content.

"This means that the Nord Stream 2 gas connection pipeline is subject to German regulation by the Federal Network Agency

Germany and the US agreed on July 21 a number of measures to protect Ukraine's energy security and block any attempts by Russia to use energy as a "weapon" once the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline starts up.

Amid Ongoing Talks to Fully Restore 2015 Nuclear Deal, United States Should Lift or Waive Sanctions against Iran, Political Affairs Chief Tells Security Council

Naftogaz also wants to force Russia to allow other Russian producers to be able to export pipeline gas via Ukraine to Europe.

"The main issues, oil sanctions, petrochemical sanctions, shipping sanctions, insurance and so on and so forth, Central Bank and banks ... have been wrapped up," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on state television

US President Joe Biden entered the White House with the pipeline already nearly finished, leaving him with the decision of upsetting Germany or giving a win to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iran, an OPEC member whose oil exports have dwindled since the re-imposition of US sanctions in 2018, began in April indirect talks with the US in Vienna amid hopes for Washington to rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal.