US: Iraq's Exemption for Purchasing Electricity from Iran Has Expired

The U.S. Department of State told Voice of America that Iraq's sanctions exemptions for purchasing electricity from Iran have expired. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said on Friday, March 15, that the exemption allowing Iraq to purchase Iranian electricity expired on March 8. This exemption was granted to Iraq for the purpose of purchasing electricity from Iran. The U.S. government has explicitly told the Iraqi government that it must make rapid progress in cutting any natural gas purchases from Iran. According to the U.S. government, Iraq, which has abundant natural gas resources, must develop its gas fields, increase gas extraction, and cooperate with American companies that are leading experts in gas extraction and electricity production. The United States has also advised Iraq to look for more reliable import sources. The Trump administration did not renew the exemption that allowed Iraq to pay Iran for electricity on Saturday, March 9. According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, this action is part of President Donald Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign against the Islamic Republic. One of the first actions of the Trump administration after returning to the presidency in January was to resume the 'maximum pressure' policy on the Islamic Republic. The U.S. government has stated that its goal is to isolate the Iranian government from the global economy and eliminate its oil export revenues to slow Tehran's progress in developing nuclear weapons. Washington has imposed multiple sanctions on the Islamic Republic due to its nuclear program and support for militia organizations, effectively prohibiting countries trading with the Iranian government from doing business with the United States.