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)

Oct 3, 2019

Escalating protests target political establishment

A protest movement is taking aim at the country’s entire political class, prompting a heavy-handed government response and raising fears of spiraling violence.

Sep 26, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 24, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Sep 26, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 17, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Sep 16, 2019

Iraqi court suspends landmark Baghdad-KRG legal battle

Chief justice says case is indefinitely delayed until the prime minister personally endorses Baghdad’s complaint against the KRG’s independent oil policy.

Sep 15, 2019

To diversify power supply, Iraq signs framework deal with Gulf countries

New agreement could link Iraq into the GCC’s "energy highway," in an effort to meet rising electricity demand and reduce dependence on Iran.

Sep 9, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 8, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Sep 5, 2019

Sanctioned Russian company moves toward Iraq exploration deal

The Oil Ministry has initialed a contract with Stroytransgaz – a target of U.S. sanctions on Russia – for exploration and development in Anbar province. The deal awaits final Cabinet approval.

Sep 4, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 3, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Aug 28, 2019

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Aug. 27, 2019

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Aug 22, 2019

Ahead of oil talks with Baghdad, KRG proposes new budget framework

As leaders in Erbil and Baghdad prepare for detailed negotiations on long-standing disputes, the KRG is offering to hand over all of its oil exports to the federal government – for a price.