U.S. Ends Iraq’s Waiver for Iranian Electricity Imports Amid Pressure Campaign

The U.S. has ended Iraq’s waiver for Iranian electricity imports, emphasizing its strategy to limit Tehran’s economic support. Iraq currently struggles with electricity shortages and is developing plans to achieve energy independence by 2028 while relying on U.S. cooperation to transition away from Iranian energy supplies.

The United States has officially concluded Iraq’s waiver permitting the nation to import electricity from Iran, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the State Department. This action underscores the “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran aimed at negating any economic or financial assistance to Iran. The spokesperson emphasized that this decision aligns with efforts to mitigate Iran’s nuclear threat and restrict its missile development and support for terrorism.

Currently, Iraq produces approximately 27,000 megawatts of electricity, though this figure can drop to 17,000 megawatts, leading to significant supply shortages. With full demand estimated at 40,000 megawatts, Iraq has relied heavily on Iranian gas imports, benefitting from previous U.S. sanctions waivers. However, under the new U.S. administration, there are indications of a return to stringent economic measures against Iran, prompting Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to seek an extension of the waiver.

In a recent dialogue, Prime Minister Al-Sudani revealed Iraq’s initiative to achieve energy independence from Iranian supplies by 2028, stating, “There will be clear energy independence.” He highlighted the necessity of maintaining the waiver during this transitional phase and announced the commencement of energy interconnection projects with neighboring countries as part of a broader strategy for regional energy integration.

This shift in U.S. policy coincides with a recent conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and PM Al-Sudani, during which they discussed reducing Iranian influence in the region. Rubio encouraged Iraq to strive for energy independence, advocating for strategic energy planning amid these changing diplomatic dynamics.

The termination of Iraq’s waiver for Iranian electricity imports marks a significant move within the U.S. strategy to exert pressure on Iran. As Iraq seeks to eliminate its dependence on Iranian energy by 2028, discussions between U.S. officials and Iraqi leaders prioritize energy independence as a vital element of regional stability. The success of these initiatives may redefine Iraq’s energy landscape and decrease Iranian influence.

Original Source: shafaq.com