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)

Nov 23, 2017

IS insurgency exploits Baghdad-KRG conflict

Thousands of federal and Kurdish soldiers are pointing their weapons at each other, leaving volatile territory inadequately guarded and vulnerable to an emboldened IS insurgency.

Nov 14, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Nov. 14, 2017

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

Nov 7, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Nov. 7, 2017

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

Nov 2, 2017

Iraq seeks to reshape northern oil sector

After regaining control of Kirkuk, Baghdad is looking for new outlets for northern oil production while reducing its reliance on the KRG.

Nov 1, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 31, 2017

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

Oct 30, 2017

Barzani resigns, leaving unstable vacuum

As lawmakers scrambled to contend with the KRG president's abrupt resignation and reassign his powers, Barzani supporters attacked Parliament.

Oct 28, 2017

Despite hostilities, northern exports flow

Federal authorities are sending crude through the Kurdistan export pipeline and into Turkish port storage under KRG control - a sign of rare cooperation at a time of explosive political friction.

Oct 25, 2017

With more oil assets threatened, KRG proposes truce

Federal forces are massing for a potential operation to take Feyshkabour, which would effectively end Kurdistan's independent pipeline exports.

Oct 24, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 24, 2017

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

Oct 19, 2017

Khurmala in the crosshairs

Federal forces scramble to reinforce dramatic gains in Iraq's disputed territories, as the KRG fortifies a key oil asset in anticipation of another potential confrontation.