logo
Iraq accelerates Gulf gas imports as US ends Iran energy waivers

Iraq accelerates Gulf gas imports as US ends Iran energy waivers

Shafaq News09-03-2025

Shafaq News/ Iraq is shifting to Gulf gas imports to replace Iranian supplies after the expiration of US sanctions waivers, while also fast-tracking a major gas pipeline project in Basra, Parliament's Oil ane Gas Committee said Sunday.
On March 8, 2025, the US waiver allowing Iraq to buy Iranian gas expired, blocking Baghdad from continuing its reliance on Tehran for power generation.
Commitee spokesperson Ali Shaddad told Shafaq News that Iraq's electricity sector faces challenges because many power plants depend solely on gas. However, Basra's plants operate on gas, crude oil, and heavy fuel, ensuring greater grid stability.
Shaddad revealed that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is personally overseeing the rapid completion of a gas pipeline from Basra's floating platform, a project launched 30 days ago by the Oil Ministry.
"The pipeline is progressing at an accelerated pace and is expected to be completed within 120 days," he said, noting that 30% of the work is already done.
Once operational, the pipeline will transport up to 200 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) of Gulf gas to Iraq's power grid.
On Sunday, the US State Department formally ended Iraq's special exemptions that had allowed Baghdad to purchase Iranian electricity.
For years, Iraq has relied on Iranian gas and electricity imports, especially during peak summer demand, benefiting from periodic US waivers issued multiple times a year.
In October 2024, Iraq signed a deal with Turkmenistan to import 20 million cubic meters of gas per day via Iranian pipelines using a swap mechanism. However, implementation has stalled due to technical issues, according to Iraq's Ministry of Electricity.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iraq acquires French Caracal helicopters
Iraq acquires French Caracal helicopters

Shafaq News

time7 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq acquires French Caracal helicopters

Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraq's Ministry of Defense confirmed the arrival of the first batch of French-made Caracal helicopters, part of a broader agreement with France to enhance the country's military aviation capabilities. In a statement, the Ministry reported that two helicopters had been delivered, with additional units expected to arrive later this year and throughout 2026. The Caracal, manufactured by Airbus Helicopters, ranks among the most advanced utility helicopters in service. Its introduction to the Iraqi Army Aviation fleet is intended to improve operational its readiness by offering versatility for combat, transport, and rescue missions across a variety of weather conditions and terrains. This acquisition reflects Iraq's ongoing efforts to ''modernise its defence infrastructure and expand military partnerships,'' the statement added.

US urges Baghdad, Erbil to settle salary crisis
US urges Baghdad, Erbil to settle salary crisis

Shafaq News

time7 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

US urges Baghdad, Erbil to settle salary crisis

Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, the US State Department urged both Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional governments to resolve their salary dispute through constructive and consistent dialogue, warning that the prolonged crisis could damage Iraq's investment environment. At a press briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States is closely following the situation in the Kurdistan Region, stressing that resolving the dispute in line with constitutional responsibilities would send a clear signal that Iraq is committed to creating conditions favorable to investment, including from American companies. Bruce also indicated that meaningful progress on the issue could help facilitate broader cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil, including the reopening of the Iraq–Turkiye oil pipeline and the expansion of energy exploration activities. Her remarks came as tensions between the Federal and Regional governments have escalated over the release of public sector salaries. Federal authorities have linked disbursements to the KRG's full transfer of oil exports to the state-owned SOMO company and increased oversight of non-oil revenues. The KRG has pushed back, arguing that the conditions are excessive and deviate from earlier understandings. The deadlock has resulted in delayed salary payments for hundreds of thousands of public employees in the Kurdistan Region. As a temporary measure, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani later authorized the payment of May salaries through a federal loan, pending a permanent resolution.

Iraq joins global partners to plan for Belgrade Expo
Iraq joins global partners to plan for Belgrade Expo

Shafaq News

time7 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq joins global partners to plan for Belgrade Expo

Shafaq News/ Iraq took part in the international preparatory conference for Expo Belgrade 2027 on Tuesday in the Serbian capital, alongside delegations from more than 120 countries. The head of the Iraqi delegation Hanoun Karim affirmed that Iraq's participation is backed directly by the Iraqi government and the Ministry of Trade and 'aims to showcase the country's positive image on the international stage.' Hanoun noted that Iraq seeks to present a comprehensive national pavilion that reflects its ancient civilization and highlights its development ambitions across economic, cultural, and investment sectors. 'We affirmed Iraq's commitment to building effective partnerships with participating countries and organizations and to learning from international expertise in managing and executing major events, in line with the highest global standards,' Hanoun added. The Iraqi delegation also took part in several technical sessions alongside other countries, exchanging perspectives on pavilion design and planning for the accompanying cultural and commercial programs. The first day of the conference featured presentations on the organizational plans for the Expo, as well as an overview of the venue and infrastructure currently under development in Belgrade. Expo Belgrade 2027 is a specialized international exhibition recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions, scheduled to take place from May 15 to August 15, 2027, under the theme 'Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.' It will be the first Expo held in the Western Balkans. Participating countries are expected to present national pavilions that highlight their cultural heritage, innovations, and development goals.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store