America clarifies its goal of exempting Iraq from importing Iranian energy!
America clarifies its goal of exempting Iraq from importing Iranian energy!
03-15-2024
The US State Department stated the reason for the exemptions granted to Iraq to import gas and energy from Iran despite the sanctions, noting that the exemptions aim to give Iraq an opportunity to reduce its imports and reduce its dependence on Iran, and Iraq succeeded in reducing its energy imports from Iran by half during the past decade.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the exemption, which expires at the end of this month, has been renewed for the 21st time. These exemptions were issued regularly to Iraq, and date back to 2018 under the previous administration.
Miller pointed out that the money that Iran earns from selling electricity to Iraq is not allowed to enter Iran, adding that the money is kept in restricted accounts and can only be used in transactions to purchase food, medicine, medical devices, and agricultural products, as well as “other transactions that are not regulated.” For punishment.
He explained that part of the United States’ broader goal is to move Iraq away from relying on Iran to provide electricity, because that is what these exemptions do.
Miller pointed out that Iraq has made real progress on its path towards achieving energy sufficiency since 2020, noting that it reduced its imports of Iranian energy by more than half over the past decade, and doubled its electrical energy generation, and we will continue to work with them and support them in their attempt to become independent in the field of energy. .
Iraq imported 297 billion cubic feet of gas in 2021, compared to 364 billion cubic feet in 2020, then it increased relatively to 333 billion cubic feet in 2022.
burathanews.com
