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)

Aug 18, 2023

Upcoming Iraq-Turkey diplomacy aims for pipeline progress

Imminent ministerial-level visits to Baghdad and Ankara are likely to address major challenges to restarting Iraq’s northern exports.

Aug 15, 2023

Drone strikes highlight perils of Turkey-PKK war for Iraqi Kurdistan

Increasingly frequent attacks deep inside KRG territory pose danger for civilians and underscore challenges for diplomacy.

Aug 9, 2023

Fractious Iranian Kurdish dissidents pose challenge for KRG stability

A splintering of opposition groups in Iraqi Kurdistan is complicating efforts to meet Iranian demands for secure borders in order to avoid more drone and missile attacks.

Aug 9, 2023

KRG starts work to expand gas pipeline network

Construction is underway on a new pipeline to bring gas supplies from the Khor Mor field up to Dohuk.

Aug 2, 2023

Partial budget payment highlights divide in Baghdad-Erbil negotiations

The KRG has received 598 billion dinars under the new budget law — a fraction of its theoretical monthly entitlement.

Jul 28, 2023

Baghdad and Erbil claim progress toward budget implementation

Key details remain unresolved, including the lynchpin issue of whether oil companies will get paid enough to enable KRG fields to restart.

Jul 25, 2023

KRG begins implementing budget law with crude transfers to Baghdad

Sign of cooperation bolsters KRG argument for starting federal budget transfers.

Jul 13, 2023

UPDATE: Deal struck to trade Iranian gas for Iraqi oil

The oil-for-gas deal could sort out a number of internal Iraqi issues – both energy and political.

Jun 28, 2023

Cabinet suspends approval of major oil export expansion

Political scrutiny of a contract is delaying a subsea pipeline project with the potential to lift export capacity by 500,000 bpd in a year.

Jun 23, 2023

Iraq-Turkey talks begin over pipeline, but no signs of progress

Ankara sent a technical delegation to Baghdad but the two sides seem far from the top-level political agreement needed to restart oil flows.