Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq’s plan to purchase Turkmen gas has encountered another obstacle, as the US has raised objections to Baghdad’s proposal to transport the supplies through Iranian territory. A source told Attaqa News that the United States has connected the agreement’s execution to negotiating a comprehensive political solution with Tehran, complicating the issue of obtaining the fuel required to run Iraq’s power plants. The US position emerged during talks held in Washington by a government delegation accompanying Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, which included Electricity Minister Ali Wahib and Oil Minister Basim Khudair.
The two sides discussed energy and economic cooperation, but the Turkmen gas sale to Iraq via Iran drew strong American opposition, despite Baghdad’s urgent need for new fuel sources amid a worsening electricity crisis. The rejection comes amid escalating military operations in the Middle East, with the United States and Iran exchanging attacks, as well as rising tensions in the Arabian Gulf, which have affected maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 with Turkmenistan to import the necessary gas for its power plants, as stated by the Ministry of Electricity.
The ministry indicated that the initiative will necessitate additional negotiations regarding the transportation of gas through Iran. Power plants in Iraq depend on gas imports from Iran, which cover one-third of the country’s energy needs. This agreement permits Iran to receive a quarter of the gas supplied across its borders.
The gas supply agreement with Turkmenistan aims to provide Iraq with an average of 20 million cubic meters per day. The post Washington rejects Iraq’s deal with Turkmenistan to import gas appeared first on Iraqi News.
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