Trump admin. revokes Iraq’s sanctions waiver for Iranian electricity imports
The administration of US President Donald Trump has refused to renew a sanctions waiver that previously allowed Iraq to pay for electricity imported from Iran, putting the country's ability to meet its domestic energy needs at risk.
US National Security Council Spokesman James Hewitt said on Sunday that the decision to let Iraq’s waiver lapse upon its expiration is in line with the so-called National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which seeks to drive Iran’s crude oil exports down to zero.
The spokesperson asserted that Washington will not allow Tehran any degree of economic or financial relief.
He claimed the US president’s maximum pressure campaign is designed to end Iran’s nuclear activities, curtail its ballistic missile program, and stop it from supporting anti-Israel resistance groups.
Hewitt went on to urge the Iraqi government to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible.
On Saturday, the Iraqi Electricity Ministry announced that Baghdad was working on obtaining a new exemption from Washington and that alternative measures have been taken in case another waiver is not provided.
Currently, approximately 80 percent of Iraq’s electricity generation depends on natural gas, making the country heavily dependent on Iranian imports to sustain its power grid.
In July 2022, Iraq signed a five-year contract with Iran to import 400 megawatts of electricity.
In March 2024, another agreement was reached to increase Iranian gas imports to 50 million cubic meters per day, valued at around $6 billion annually.
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