Iran is losing patience with Pakistan over its lack of progress on the multi-billion dollar Iran-Pakistan pipeline project.

Iran claims to have already completed 900 kilometres of pipeline on its side of the border and is waiting for Pakistan to fulfil its obligations to construct at least 700km on its side.

However, Iranian media reports say the lack of progress means the deadline for exporting gas, December 2014, has now been missed and it is looking increasingly unlikely that any progress will be made for at least another two years.

Pakistan has sent officials to Tehran to try to negotiate an extension to the agreed terms, but Iran is still expected to impose harsh financial penalties for the delays.

When completed, the pipeline will have the capacity to transport more than 2 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas to Pakistan.