Politics

Iraq grapples with power shortages and Iran sanctions as summer looms

The expiration of a U.S. sanctions waiver on Iranian electricity imports is complicating Baghdad's balancing act between Tehran and Washington, while the government scrambles for power supply ahead of peak demand season.

Workers from the Southern Projects Commission of Iraq's State Company for Oil Projects assemble a pipeline designed to carry regassified LNG imported via the Khor al-Zubair port in Basra to power stations in February 2025. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

May 10, 2020

Ali Allawi to be acting Iraqi oil minister

New finance minister takes on oil portfolio after political pressure derailed original proposed by new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

May 8, 2020

Iraq orders new OPEC cuts targeting IOC fields

A comprehensive survey of Iraqi fields suggests the Oil Ministry is targeting about 600,000 bpd of production cuts in May, mostly from fields contracted to international oil companies.

May 6, 2020

UPDATE: No oil minister yet in Mustafa Kadhimi’s new government

Kadhimi and 15 members of his Cabinet were approved by Parliament early Thursday but political disputes blocked an oil minister from being nominated and others from passing.

May 2, 2020

Oil revenues crash, dragging Iraq deeper into crisis

High April export levels were no match for a spiraling oil price down nearly 80 percent since January.

Apr 27, 2020

Baghdad orders halt to KRG budget transfer

New oil and revenue-sharing agreements hinge on negotiations, but maximalist demands and financial constraints hamper compromise.

Apr 26, 2020

U.S. grants Iraq another 30-day sanctions waiver

Renewal enables Iraq to continue Iranian energy imports, but short window reflects ongoing strain in relations with Washington.

Apr 24, 2020

As Iraq begins oil cuts, steep challenges remain for OPEC compliance

Technical, financial, and political obstacles will make it nearly impossible for Iraq to meet an OPEC pledge to cut 1 million bpd by May 1.

Apr 23, 2020

Baghdad puts KRG budget transfer in the crosshairs

As Iraq descends further into financial crisis, the federal Cabinet and Parliament signal rising opposition to the KRG's monthly budget payments.

Apr 14, 2020

Cross-border fuel pipeline delayed by Iranian, KRG bureaucratic tangle

Red tape and rivalries have prevented the startup of a short pipeline designed to improve the efficiency of the KRG's fuel imports from Iran while mitigating coronavirus risk.

Apr 10, 2020

New PM-designate Kadhimi has momentum, but steep challenge

With 30 days to form a cabinet, Iraq's latest prime minister-designate, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, faces the same political crosscurrents that stymied his predecessors.