U.S. Opposes Turkmenistan’s Gas Exports to Iraq via Iran
Iraq’s effort to ease its severe electricity shortage by importing Turkmen gas via Iran collapsed under U.S. pressure, forcing Baghdad to seek alternative solutions, according to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Reuters.
Despite being an oil-rich country,Iraq has struggled to provide reliable electricity as the 2003 U.S. invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein. This ongoing power deficit has driven many citizens to rely on expensive generators, worsening economic hardships and social unrest.
Reuters reported that under a swap agreement proposed for the first time in 2023, Turkmenistan was set to export gas through Iran into Iraq.In this arrangement, Iran would receive the gas from Turkmenistan and then deliver it to Iraq. However, because of potential violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran, Washington’s approval was required for the deal.
The permit was never granted.During former President Donald Trump’s administration, Washington pursued a failed “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at intensifying sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to Reuters – citing four iraqi officials and seven official documents – Baghdad lobbied for months seeking Washington’s consent to import about five billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas annually via Iran.
The news agency added that a draft swap agreement seen by Reuters showed Iraq planned an annual import volume of 5.025 billion cubic meters from Turkmenistan. Baghdad also proposed appointing a third-party international monitor to oversee compliance with U.S. sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations.
Nevertheless, despite months of lobbying efforts, Washington’s opposition ensured that the agreement failed, while increasing pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program intensified further.
Adil karim, adviser on electricity affairs for Iraq’s prime minister told Reuters: ”Continuing (the Turkmenistan deal) could subject Iraqi banks and financial institutions to sanctions; thus this contract is currently suspended.”
