Weights to renew the American exemptions for Iraq to import Iranian gas
Weights to renew the American exemptions for Iraq to import Iranian gas
12/2/2020 16:01
[Follow-up-Where]
A press report broadcast by the Associated Press today, Wednesday, suggested that Iraq will continue to import Iranian natural gas in light of the renewal of US exemptions.
Iraqi officials have indicated that the United States is likely to renew the exemption from Iranian sanctions that would allow Baghdad to continue importing Iranian natural gas to supply its electricity needs, the Associated Press reported today.
The waiver is due to expire for three months on Thursday.
Iraq relies on Iranian imports to meet the lion’s share of its electricity needs in the face of a shortage that has helped spark widespread protests in recent years.
The expected renewal of the concession comes amid faltering US-Iraqi relations in the wake of the US attack on Major General Qassem Soleimani and Deputy Chairman of the Popular Mobilization Authority, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
And those assassinations prompted Baghdad to threaten to expel the remaining American forces from Iraq.
Faced with the threat of expulsion, the Trump administration threatened to strike Iraq with crippling sanctions, raising speculation that the United States may not renew the concession.
Despite the concession, Washington continues to pressure Iraq to reduce its dependence on Iran to meet its electricity needs.
And Iraq announced last Sunday that a southern oil field near Basra – operated by Exxon Mobil, a US-based company – would reduce production due to pollution levels and gas emissions.
alliraqnews.com