The US State Department confirmed, on Friday, that it had granted Iraq a new exemption within a series of exemptions that it had begun in 2018, to enable Baghdad to purchase energy from Tehran, to secure its electricity needs.
Yesterday, Thursday, the United States renewed Iraq’s exemption from compliance with the sanctions imposed by Washington on Iran, allowing Baghdad to purchase electricity from Tehran.
This exemption comes in the context of several exemptions granted by Washington to Baghdad, for a period of 120 days in an attempt to help the country provide sufficient electricity.
Ministry spokesman Matthew Miller said during a press conference on Thursday evening, “The exemption, which expires at the end of this month, has been renewed for the 21st time. These exemptions were issued regularly to Iraq, and date back to 2018 under the previous administration.”
Miller pointed out that the money that Iran earns from selling electricity to Iraq is not allowed to enter Iran, adding that the money is kept in “restricted accounts and can only be used in transactions for the purchase of food, medicine, medical devices, and agricultural products,” as well as “other non-profit transactions.” subject to punishment.”
He explained, “Part of the broader US goal is to move Iraq away from relying on Iran to provide electricity because that is what these exemptions do.”
Miller pointed out that Iraq has made real progress on its path towards achieving energy sufficiency since 2020, noting that it has reduced its imports of Iranian energy by more than half over the past decade, and has doubled its electrical energy generation, and we will continue to work with them and support them in their attempt to become independent in the field of energy. .
