Iraq Approves Iran-Syria Gas Pipeline

Iraq has approved the construction of a natural gas pipeline across its territory that will connect Iran to Syria.

The Iraqi Cabinet said in a statement Tuesday that it has instructed the country’s oil minister to sign a framework agreement for the $10 billion project, allowing the pipeline to move ahead, Associated Press reported.

The project is designed to supply gas from the giant South Pars field to Syria as well as other export markets.

Iran signed a preliminary deal to build the 1,500-kilometer (750-mile) pipeline in July 2011.