Iran and Pakistan started talks Monday to finalize the technical terms of a deal to build a pipeline to supply Iranian gas to the energy-hungry south Asian nation, state-run Saudi Press Agency, or SPA, reported late Monday.
The talks, which will last until Sept.2, will also discuss the gas delivery point in Pakistan, the agency reported.
Iran and Pakistan formalized an agreement on the pipeline in May after years of negotiations over the terms of the deal.
The two parties have agreed to complete the project by 2013, SPA said.
Iran has the world's second-biggest gas reserves after Russia, but U.S. sanctions, in existence for nearly three decades, are making it increasingly difficult for the country to access technology to develop its gas industry.