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 16, 2017

Violence as federal forces move further toward Kirkuk

Iraqi security forces have been ordered to retake control of oil assets and military bases that have been under KRG protection since 2014.

Oct 14, 2017

Battles erupt in Tuz Khurmatu as KRG-Baghdad crisis escalates

Following provocative federal troop movements on the southern outskirts of Kirkuk, Peshmerga-Hashid fighting has broken out in another part of Iraq's disputed territories.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim

As political and military tensions mount around Kirkuk, the governor discusses the future of the province and its oil.

Oct 12, 2017

Hashid-Peshmerga battles near Kirkuk raise specter of war

The KRG fears federal Iraqi forces are plotting a "major attack" days after tensions combusted into two, hour-long firefights near the disputed Bai Hassan oil field.

Oct 11, 2017

Iraq aims to rebuild northern pipeline

Massive political challenges and financial constraints cast uncertainty on the Oil Ministry's announcement that it will rehabilitate its decimated pipeline to Turkey.

Oct 10, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 10, 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 9, 2017

Q&A: KRG Minister of Transportation Mawlood Bawa Murad

The KRG is powerless to lift a ban on international flights that Baghdad imposed in retaliation for the independence referendum.

Oct 3, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 3, 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 3, 2017

Military buildup on the KRG-Iran border

Kurdish security forces and Iranian tanks have deployed to opposite sides of the Parwezkhan crossing, as Baghdad moves to exert federal control over border posts.

Sep 28, 2017

Baghdad digs in against KRG referendum

As the KRG announced referendum results, Iraq's Parliament issued a bellicose directive calling on Abadi to march on Kirkuk and target Kurdistan's oil sector, borders, and airports.