Iraq says gas supplies from Iran have been halted

A general view of the Gwer Oil Refinery, which is one of the most important industrial facilities processing oil products, in Erbil, Iraq on August 6, 2023. [Ahsan Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed – Anadolu Agency]

Iraq’s supply of gas from Iran has been halted, the electricity ministry said on Tuesday, adding that the stoppage was due to the shutdown of some generating units and load shedding at others, Reuters reported.

The ministry reported that 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts of power has been lost from the electrical system as a result of the halt to Iranian gas supplies.

“The Iranian side sent a telegram informing the Ministry of Electricity of the complete cessation of gas supplies due to unforeseen circumstances,” the statement added.

Iran supplies between a third and 40 per cent of Iraq’s gas and power needs.

In March, US President Donald Trump’s administration rescinded a waiver that had allowed Iraq, which struggles with chronic power shortages, to pay Iran for electricity. The move was part of Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran.

READ: Iraq seeks to reduce dependence on Iranian gas

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