Pakistan risked U.S. sanctions on Iran pipeline

The senior U.S. official said Pakistan, sparking risk U.S. sanctions if pursued with Iran plans to build a gas pipeline $ 7.5 billion links between the two countries, in the new warning Monday: Washington."We have serious concerns, if this project actually go forward, that raised the Iran Sanctions Act," said a spokeswoman for the State Department Victoria Nuland. "We were in a row with the Pakistanis about this Ahmadinejad President Mahmoud concerns.Iranian launched and added building department, which was delayed much of the gas pipeline with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari counterpart Ali in a ceremony on the border of two neighbours.But Noland: "We heard about this line announced 10 or 15 times before in the past. So we have to see what the fact happens.The United States was seeking alternative plans, saying the move with Iran would be considered "in the wrong direction right at the time we are trying to work with Pakistan on ways to better and more reliable to meet energy needs.Nuland said that the United States "support energy projects on a large scale in Pakistan that will add about 900 megawatts to the grid by the end of 2013." These projects included repairing power plants in the Tarbela and dam Mangla, as well as updated other plants and building new dams in Satpara and Jumal Zam, She showed footage TV added.Iranian of Ahmadinejad and Zardari shaking hands and prayers after the disclosure of a commemorative plaque to mark the involvement of Pakistan. "completion of the pipeline is in the interests of peace and security and progress of the two countries ... And would also strengthen economic and political relations and security of the two countries, "the presidents said in a joint statement.Pakistan continued pipeline scheme as a means to ease severe energy shortages which have provoked demonstrations and hit a weak government. At the same time, it is in dire need of billions of dollars they receive in aid from the United States. "The Pakistani government wants to show that they are willing to take foreign policy decisions that defy the United States, especially when critical issues such as energy security is at stake," said Anthony Skinner, director of the British-based consultancy risk Maplecroft. "Pipeline not only to meet the energy needs of the needs of Pakistan, but also hostels cake point with many critics in the United States among voters, "said Reuters.Iran completed 900 kilometers (560 miles) of pipeline on its side of the border and Iranian contractors and also building the pipeline in Pakistan, Iran agreed national network broadcasting IRIB reported.Tehran to provide Islamabad $ 500 million, or one-third of an estimated $ 1.5 billion cost of -750 km (470-mile) section of Pakistani pipeline, Fars news agency reported.The two sides hope to complete the pipeline in a timely manner to start delivery of 21.5 million cubic meters (760,000 million cubic feet) of gas per day to Pakistan by December 2014.The project faces security challenges posed by the militants ethnic Baluch who are demanding greater control over natural resources and Balochistan by Iranian Sunni insurgents stationed in Pakistan also fighting for more rights in Iran. "The presence of the pipeline passes through the region makes it vulnerable to bombings and disorder," said Skinner. "Washington may strengthen its support of local elements, causing the disruption of a large pipeline in infrastructure," he added.