Iran's Oil Minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari said that Iran was to file a lawsuit against Turkmenistan over Ashgabat's gas cut, Iran's satellite Press TV reported on Thursday.

"Iran will apply to the court if Turkmenistan fails to compensate for the cut of gas exports to Iran in January 2008," said Nozari, adding that "according to the contract, Iran can file a lawsuit if the two sides do not reach an agreement through talks."

"The Iranian oil ministry has set up a team to follow the case...some special reports have been prepared," Nozari was quoted as saying.

Turkmenistan suspended its gas exports of up to 23 million cubic meters a day to Iran in January 2008, citing technical problems.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Turkmenistan's move affected Iran's ability to cope with the then severe coldness and heavy snow that caused a number of casualties.

Turkmenistan normally supplies 5 percent of Iran's gas demand annually. The Islamic Republic distributes Turkmen gas in its northeastern region, which is distant from its southern gas-rich area and closer to that of Turkmenistan. 　

Source:Xinhua