Turkey has taken Iran to international arbitration over the price paid for gas imports, Turkish energy officials said on Tuesday, after Tehran rejected Ankara's complaint that the price was too high.

Turkey imports 10 billion cubic metres of gas each year from Iran, making it Turkey's second-biggest supplier after Russia.

"The expected discount was not made. For this reason, Turkey went to international arbitration," said one senior Turkish official.

Iranian officials, contacted by Reuters in Tehran, said they were unaware of Turkey's move.

"Both sides should remain committed to the contract, which has an article regarding arbitration," said Majid Boujarzadeh, spokesman for Iran's National Gas Company.

Officials did not specify where Turkey was seeking arbitration, but it was most likely to be through the International Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland as Turkey had resolved a previous contractual dispute with Iran over gas supplies at the body.

In 2009, ICC awarded Turkey $800 million compensation related to gas purchases from Iran.

"This issue is not related to the sanctions imposed on Iran. Though America is trying hard to pressure Iran," Bourjarzadeh said.

Reuters