US Blocks Iraq's Turkmen Gas Imports Via Iran Amid Power Crisis

Iraq's plan to import 5.025 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas annually through Iran to alleviate its severe power shortages has been blocked by the United States due to its sanctions on Iran and a "maximum pressure" campaign. Despite Iraq's efforts, including proposing international monitoring to ensure compliance with sanctions, Washington denied approval, fearing secondary sanctions on Iraqi financial institutions. This rejection has forced Iraq to seek alternative energy solutions such as negotiating floating regasification terminals to import liquefied natural gas and accelerating domestic gas field development. Iraq imports about one-third of its electricity needs from Iran, but recent U.S. sanctions have cut these imports, worsening power outages that severely impact daily life and economic activities. Although rich in oil and gas, Iraq lacks adequate infrastructure to process its associated gas, leading to flaring and reliance on external sources. The failure of the Turkmen gas deal underscores the ongoing challenges Iraq faces in securing reliable energy supplies amid geopolitical tensions and sanctions.