logo
Kurdistan As An Energy Alternative To Iran

Kurdistan As An Energy Alternative To Iran

Memri25-02-2025

On February 4, 2025, the U.S. President Donald Trump restored his "maximum pressure" policy on Iran aiming to cut its oil exports to zero in order to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, neutralize Iran's terrorist network, and counter its aggressive development of missiles. [1]
In order to offset a potential fall in Iranian oil exports, according to Reuters, the U.S. government pressured Iraq to allow Kurdish oil exports to restart or face sanctions alongside Iran. [2]
(Source: X)
Kurdistan's Natural Resources
Oil reserves in Iraq are considered the world's fifth-largest proven oil reserves, with 150 billion barrels. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq holds 45 billion barrels of estimated oil reserves, almost a third of all of Iraq's crude oil reserves. In Syria, the Kurdish-held territory includes most of Syria's oil fields. According to the KRG's Ministry of Natural Resources: "The Kurdistan Region could hold as much as 200 trillion cubic feet (5.67 trillion cubic meters) of natural gas reserves, around three percent of the world's total reserves. This positions Kurdistan for a prominent role in regional and global gas markets." [3]
Iran May Attack Iraqi Kurdistan
Following the recent Erbil and Baghdad agreement to resume Kurdistan's oil exports, [4] Iran warned Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that it may launch airstrikes against Kurdish-Iranian opposition groups based in the Kurdish region if the security agreements between Baghdad and Tehran are not fully implemented. [5]
Iran has long viewed Iraqi Kurdistan as an energy competitor, [6] in the past two years Iran and its militias in Iraq have frequently bombed major gas and oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan, killing civilians and causing serious damage to oil and gas production. Renewed threats from Iran to directly attack Iraqi Kurdistan are targeting U.S. interests.
Another factor is Iran's internal economic and political situation. Iran is economically weak and the dissatisfaction of the Iranian people is growing. The U.S. sanctions would further crumble Iran's economy, leading to anti-regime uprisings. The revenue generated by smuggling oil and unofficial trade with other countries has so far been enough to keep Iran from destabilizing, but it will not be enough to maintain a prolonged war. The faction that has historically played a major role in uprisings are the Kurds, who have frequently engaged in armed struggle against Tehran. Iran realizes that they would not have the means to maintain order if an uprising breaks out, hence they attempt to export their internal crisis to Iraq and its Kurdistan Region.
Conclusion
The Kurds have been instrumental partners for the United States in fighting against terrorism – more than 12,000 Kurdish fighters died fighting ISIS. The Kurdish regions are a safe haven for refugees fleeing religious and ethnic violence, especially Christian minorities. The Kurds have also been a bulwark against Iran's regional expansionism.
The U.S. should incorporate the Kurdish regions in Iraq and Syria into its Middle East policy not just as partners in the fight against terrorism but as regional allies, and an important energy alternative to Iran, which will be a more stable and also cheaper alternative. Further U.S. investments in Kurdistan's energy sector, as well as military and diplomatic support for the Kurds in Syria and Iraq, would greatly help the U.S. interests in the region.
*Himdad Mustafa is special advisor to MEMRI's Kurdish Studies Project.
[1] Whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-restores-maximum-pressure-on-iran, February 4, 2025.
[2] Reuters.com/business/energy/us-piles-pressure-iraq-resume-kurdish-oil-exports-sources-say-2025-02-21, February 21, 2025.
[3] Gov.krd/mnr-en/publications/gas, accessed February 25, 2025.
[4] Reuters.com/business/energy/kurdistan-regions-oil-exports-resume-next-week-iraqi-minister-says-2025-02-17, February 17, 2025.
[5] X.com/DrawMediaNet/status/1893137906224484419, February 22, 2025.
[6] Gisreportsonline.com/r/kurdish-energy-competition-iran, June 14, 2022.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iran's Araghchi warns of 'complications' after IAEA resolution
Iran's Araghchi warns of 'complications' after IAEA resolution

Shafaq News

time4 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iran's Araghchi warns of 'complications' after IAEA resolution

Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accusing Tehran of violating non-proliferation commitments would further complicate nuclear talks with the United States set for Sunday. Speaking to local media outlets, Araghchi confirmed holding a meeting in Oslo with his Omani counterpart to discuss preparations for the upcoming round of talks with the US. 'We will go to Muscat on Sunday to defend the rights of our people and the achievements of our nuclear scientists,' he stated. The IAEA Board of Governors had issued a rare resolution declaring Iran non-compliant with its nuclear safeguards obligations, marking the first such move in nearly two decades. The announcement came at a critical time, with reports saying that Israel might conduct a military operation against Tehran, and Washington decided to evacuate diplomats and personnel from its embassy in Baghdad and several Gulf countries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran would rebuild its nuclear facilities if they were destroyed. 'These capabilities exist in our minds,' he said. Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani also declared, 'We are not seeking war, but no one dares to wage one against us. Weakness in Iran and the resistance is a mere illusion.'

Iraqi armed groups to meet over growing threat to Iran
Iraqi armed groups to meet over growing threat to Iran

Shafaq News

time4 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraqi armed groups to meet over growing threat to Iran

Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee (IRCC) will hold a key meeting within hours, amid growing consensus among armed factions to intervene directly if Iran comes under military attack, a source revealed to Shafaq News on Thursday. IRCC is a body for various Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups, particularly those that have been part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI). it emerged in October 2020 and has been involved in actions against US forces and Israel. 'The factions have unanimously agreed to engage directly in any war targeting Iran, whether led by the United States or Israel. However, political and governmental pressure is mounting on certain faction leaders to avoid involvement in any imminent regional escalation,' the source revealed. He further pointed out that the meeting will include most of the armed factions in Iraq and be attended by senior faction leaders to discuss the latest regional escalation, ongoing US threats, and the possibility of war against Iran, 'to outline the role of the factions should conflict erupt.' Earlier, the Secretary-General of the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Abu Alaa Al-Walai, threatened to send dozens of suicide fighters to strike American interests in the event of war with Iran.

Global Coalition reinforces Syria bases despite US drawdown Shafaq
Global Coalition reinforces Syria bases despite US drawdown Shafaq

Shafaq News

time7 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Global Coalition reinforces Syria bases despite US drawdown Shafaq

News/ The US-led coalition deployed extensive military and logistical reinforcements to its bases in northeastern Syria over the past two days, Shafaq News correspondent reported on Thursday. More than 100 trucks carrying military equipment and logistical supplies crossed from Iraq through the Al-Waleed border crossing to coalition bases in Syria's Hasakah province, according to the correspondent, who informed that the convoy included military vehicles, fuel, water, food supplies, and sealed trucks believed to contain weapons and ammunition. The trucks were dispatched to bases in Khrab al-Jeer, Qasrak, and Al-Shaddadi in rural Hasakah. The reinforcements arrived despite recent announcements from Washington regarding the reduction of US troops in Syria and the closure of at least three military bases. A source from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told Shafaq News that US forces remain stationed at their bases in the Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria, confirming that weekly deliveries of military and logistical equipment are ongoing. He also noted that the Coalition, in coordination with the SDF, continues to monitor ISIS cells 'to prevent the group from exploiting the current situation to reorganize or carry out attacks in Syria.' Meanwhile, the SDF announced on Wednesday that it had carried out a security operation in cooperation with the coalition in the town of Al-Mansoura, west of Raqqa, targeting an ISIS cell. The statement said the operation followed close surveillance and led to the arrest of two prominent members of the group: Abdul Sattar Abdul Fattah Al-Mohammed, known as "Abu Amira," and his brother Mohammed Abdul Fattah Al-Mohammed, known as "Abu Al-Baraa," both from Al-Mansoura, who are involved in manufacturing improvised explosive devices and car bombs at a metal workshop used to produce silencers and explosives. The SDF reaffirmed its commitment to continuing security operations against the Islamic State, pointing out that the group's attempts to exploit instability in the country would be met with 'firm resistance' to safeguard civilians and public institutions in the region.

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