US extends sanctions waiver for Iraq to import Iranian gas

Tehran (ISNA) – The US has granted Iraq a three-month extension to a sanctions waiver allowing it to import Iranian gas, an Iraqi official told AFP. The new exemption, which is longer than previous extensions, was granted after “long discussions”, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The move represents a welcome reprieve for […]

Tehran (ISNA) – The US has granted Iraq a three-month extension to a sanctions waiver allowing it to import Iranian gas, an Iraqi official told AFP.

The new exemption, which is longer than previous extensions, was granted after “long discussions”, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The move represents a welcome reprieve for a country that relies heavily on its neighbour for energy supplies.

Iraq buys gas and electricity from Iran to supply about a third of its power sector, worn down by years of conflict and poor maintenance and unable to meet the needs of the country’s 40 million population.