Iran conflict triggers new gas crisis in separatist Moldova region

The conflict in Iran has triggered new shortages of gas supplies to Moldova's separatist Transdniestria region, the region's authorities said on Wednesday, threatening a repeat of a crisis that cut heat and power to homes and industry a year ago.

Pro-Moscow Transdniestria had long been supplied with Russian gas, virtually without payment, through a pipeline that crosses Ukraine. But authorities in Kyiv last year stopped gas transit as the war with Russia dragged on, leaving the region's 350,000 residents and much of its industry with limited power and heat for over a month a year ago.

The region has since secured more costly gas from European suppliers, but volumes have been cut by the Iran conflict.

"In connection with events in the Middle East, there have been critical disruptions in gas supplies," the region's ministry of economic development said.

"Sharp cuts in gas volumes have led to limits on usage for commercial purposes or thermal heating."

Igor Grosu, speaker of Moldova's parliament, said Transdniestria had only enough gas reserves "for a few days. Let me ask them what they choose - gas every day, even if more costly, or to go without for schools, kindergartens or homes?"

The ministry said hospitals and kindergartens would provide normal heating. But online forums told parents to send children to school "in warm clothing - cardigans, sweaters and vests".

Reports from the region said some industries in the regional capital Tiraspol had already been hit by the shortages.

Transdniestria broke from Moldova in 1990 before the collapse of Soviet rule and the region has since lived side-by-side, largely in peace, with the independent Moldovan state. It has no international recognition and efforts to bring the region back under Moldovan control have made no progress.

Moldova, lying between Ukraine and Romania, is led by a government and president committed to joining the European Union by 2030. It has also switched from Russian gas to supplies from European sources.

-Alexander Tanas/Reuters