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 13, 2022

Smuggling bust unravels into scandal of murder and political intrigue

An oil smuggling ring was stealing thousands of barrels per day from a pipeline in Basra. The true contours of the conspiracy remain a mystery.

Nov 2, 2022

China positioned to thrive under Iraq’s new government

For the past year an ostensibly grassroots movement with ties to Iran-aligned parties has laid political groundwork for Iraq to embrace China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Oct 27, 2022

UPDATE: Hayan Abdulghani confirmed to lead Oil Ministry as Sudani takes power

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani formed a government and took office as prime minister, providing initial details on his program for Iraq's energy sector.

Oct 25, 2022

CORRECTED: Baghdad court annuls three more KRG contracts

Kurdistan's contracts with Addax, ShaMaran, and Gulf Keystone have been ruled invalid; cases against Dana Gas and Gazprom Neft are ongoing.

Oct 20, 2022

Widening Turkey-PKK conflict presents new risks for Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkey has long targeted Kurdish separatist bases in the remote Qandil mountains, but recent cross-border strikes are also hitting near population centers.

Oct 18, 2022

Facing critical threats to oil independence, KRG leaders fail to unify

Violent political disputes bewteen Kurdistan's ruling parties are undermining their leverage in Baghdad at a pivotal time of government formation.

Sep 29, 2022

Iran strikes opposition targets deep in Iraqi Kurdistan

As protesters in Iran denounce the government, Iran's military escalates its cross-border campaign against Kurdish parties accused of supporting the unrest.

Sep 22, 2022

Iraq’s highest court strikes down INOC

The Federal Supreme Court appeared to end Oil Minister Ihsan Ismaael's fledgling efforts to create an Iraqi National Oil Company, ruling its legal foundations "invalid."

Sep 20, 2022

Court again delays case against Kurdistan IOCs

Gazprom Neft sends lawyer to court, bucking trend of companies ignoring Oil Ministry lawsuits seeking to invalidate KRG oil contracts.

Sep 19, 2022

Weatherford pledges to obey Baghdad’s blacklist and exit Kurdistan

The U.S. company joins a growing list of blue-chip oil services firms bowing to the Oil Ministry's pressure campaign against the KRG energy sector.