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)

Apr 7, 2015

Q&A: Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim

Karim criticizes leaders in both Baghdad and Erbil for their handling of oil policy and territorial disputes, and outlines a vision of Iraqi federalism that empowers provinces.

Apr 3, 2015

Kurdistan passes oil accounting law

Kurdistan’s Parliament passed a law establishing an oil revenue accounting body on Wednesday, a partial step in providing oversight of the region’s future oil revenue.

Apr 1, 2015

Oil shipper drops Kurdistan business under legal pressure

In a settlement with Baghdad, the KRG's primary provider of tankers for independent oil exports will sever ties with Kurdistan in exchange for removal from SOMO blacklist.

Mar 31, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 31, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Mar 30, 2015

Q&A: Oil Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi

Iraq's top oil man talks about renegotiating oil contracts, addressing long-standing disputes with Kurdistan, and building infrastructure and boosting exports.

Mar 26, 2015

Budget payment buoys Baghdad-KRG oil deal

Kurdistan has received a delayed February budget transfer of $408.3 million, keeping a tenuous oil export and revenue sharing deal alive.

Mar 26, 2015

North oil workers protest payment problems

North Oil Company staff decry salary payments in small-denomination currency and demand back pay, but say work stoppage is unlikely.

Mar 24, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 24, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Mar 17, 2015

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: March 17, 2015

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers publishes decisions of the Cabinet, Beyond the Headlines features a translation from the original Arabic.

Mar 13, 2015

Oil deal imperiled by political discord

Leaders in Baghdad and Erbil aired contrasting interpretations – and contentious arguments – over their cooperative oil and revenue agreement.