FRANKFURT — Iran could be a "reliable, secure and long-term" supplier of gas to Europe, Tehran's industry minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh said on Monday.

"We don't want to compete with Russia. But we know that Europe's demand for gas is increasing and would like a share in this," Nematzadeh told the business daily Handelsblatt in an interview.

"We have the energy reserves and cooperation plans. But as far as Russia is concerned, that is a decision for Europe alone," the minister said.