This book on Iran's natural gas industry provides an in-depth analysis of the historical, political, legal and economic developments which, throughout the post-Revolutionary era, have impacted Iran's ability to engage substantially in international gas trade, despite its world class reserves. The development and organization of Iran's gas industry has presented a challenging environment for IOC's, due to legal and political barriers and the progressive imposition of US and international sanctions. The book shows how the country's complex domestic politics have created dilemmas for Iranian authorities striving to achieve successful negotiating positions with external parties, while being continually undermined by internal disagreements between political factions. It also examines the economic and political challenges facing the Iranian government in allocating its vast natural gas resources to competing uses, including the domestic market, oilfield reinjection, and exports. The book demonstrates how all of these factors, combined with the lack of a long-term transparent policy and long-delayed changes in domestic political attitudes and international relations, reduce the probability of Iran becoming a major gas exporter over the next decade and beyond. Book jacket