Iraq says gas supplies from Iran have been halted

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

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 percent 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In March, US President Donald Trump’s administration rescinded a waiver that had allowed Iraq, which struggles with chronic power shortages, to pay Iran for electricity.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.

Further reading:

• Iraq approves gas plants in bid to replace Iran imports
• Two new LNG terminals in Iraq to replace Iran gas
• ‘It’s costing huge sums’ – Iraq may stop buying Iranian gas