Iranian pipeline still on, Pakistan says

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 10 (UPI) -- Sanctions on Iran at the U.N. Security Council won't affect plans for a natural gas pipeline from the South Pars gas field, Pakistani officials said.

The Security Council voted Wednesday to place new sanctions on Iran. The measure was passed by a vote of 12-2 with one abstention. Brazil and Turkey were the "no" votes and Lebanon abstained.

The sanctions include an increase in the number of Iranian officials and companies who would be under travel bans and subject to asset freezes and additional searches for banned goods in cargo shipped to or from Iran.

Abdul Basit, a spokesman for the Pakistani foreign minister, said the sanctions would have no impact on plans for a natural gas pipeline from Iran, the Associated Press of Pakistan reports.

Iran and Pakistan put the final touches on agreement for the $7.6 billion pipeline this week.

First gas deliveries through the pipeline are expected by 2015. Pakistan has contracted 750,000 cubic feet of gas per day through the pipeline under the terms of the 25-year deal.

Pakistan expects to save $1 billion each year in energy costs when the pipeline goes into service. Islamabad and Tehran signed off on the preliminary details for the pipeline March 16.

New Delhi was originally slated to join the project. Washington, however, has pressured its partners in India to find other options.

Iran and Pakistan said India was welcome to join the project at a later date.