Tehran, May 9 (IANS) Iran stands ready to export natural gas to European countries seeking to diversify their energy sources, an Iranian energy official said Thursday.

European countries can import Iran’s gas through three separate routes, Xinhua quoted Iranian deputy Oil Minister for International and Trade Affairs Ali Majedi, adding Turkish soil is the first and most viable option.

The second route crosses such countries as Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and the third one runs through Armenia, Georgia and under the Black Sea, Majedi said.

He was reiterating a similar offer made Saturday by the country’s oil minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

“As a country that has the capacity to supply gas in large volumes, Iran is always willing to export natural gas to Europe via pipeline or in the form of liquefied natural gas,” Zanganeh said.

Zanganeh said Tehran’s offer had nothing to do with Russia’s differences with the EU over Ukraine crisis.