USA imposes sanctions on Iraq to prohibit Iran’s energy importation

The United States government decided to revoke the exemption of sanctions that allowed Iraq to import electricity from Iran. The information was confirmed by a state department spokesman on March 8. The measure is part of the “maximum pressure” policy adopted by the administration of President Donald Trump against Tehran.

The exemption, which had been renewed on different occasions, would expire on Saturday following the decision. The cancellation formally removes the authorization to continue acquiring Iranian energy, which pressures the Iraqi government to seek alternative sources of supply.

“The cancellation of the exemption ensures that we will not allow Iran any degree of economic or financial relief,” said the spokesman for the State Department. According to him, the measure aims to “end the nuclear threat [do Irã]restrict your ballistic missile program and prevent you from supporting terrorist groups. ”

The US government also urged Iraq to reduce its energy dependence on Iran.

“We ask the Iraqi government to eliminate their dependence on Iranian energy sources as soon as possible. Iran is a non -reliable power supplier. Iraq’s energy transition offers opportunities for US companies, which are world leaders to increase power plant productivity, improve electrical networks and develop electrical interconnections with reliable partners, ”added the spokesman.

Iran is historically the main energy supplier of Iraq. Despite being the second largest oil producer of the Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) and having significant natural gas reserves, Iraq faces difficulty ensuring a stable energy supply.

Factors include decades of armed conflicts, political instability and low volume of foreign investments in the energy sector.

Iraqi Prime Minister Foreign Minister Farhad Alaeddin’s Foreign Councilor told Reuters that the exemption of exemption “presents temporary operational challenges”.

The Iraqi government has faced obstacles to pay off debts with tehran for energy supply, due to the financial restrictions imposed by US sanctions.

The revocation of the exemption is part of a series of measures adopted by the White House to expand economic pressure on Iran. Trump administration has concentrated efforts to hinder international Iranian oil shipments and block sources of revenue in the country.

Upon taking office, Trump formally restored the policy of sanctions against Tehran through executive order. The US government states that the goal is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capacity for military purposes and interrupting support for groups classified as terrorists by Washington.

Tehran has reacted to the measures with criticism of the United States government. In recent statements, the Iranian regime accused Washington of maintaining diplomatic negotiations only as an instrument of economic coercion.

“Iran will not negotiate under pressure,” said Iranian authorities. Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on March 8: “Some bully governments – I really don’t know any more appropriate term for some foreign figures and leaders than the word intimidation – insist on negotiations. Your negotiations are not intended to solve problems; They aim at domination. ”

The day before, President Trump stated that he sent a letter to Iranian leadership. According to him, the document contained an ultimatum so that Tehran would accept negotiating under penalty of suffering an attack on the nuclear program.

“I wrote a letter to them, saying that I hope you negotiate because if we have to come militarily, it will be a terrible thing for them. There are two ways to deal with Iran – militarily, or you make a deal, ”said Trump on March 7.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program has exclusively peaceful purposes, citing a religious Fatwa against weapons of mass destruction and its adherence to the Nuclear Non -Proliferation Treaty (PMS).

The country, however, faces constant threats of attack by Israel. Recent US intelligence reports point out that the Israeli government assesses the possibility of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities this year if diplomatic negotiations failed.

According to information published by the Washington Post newspaper in February, US officials indicated that Israel intends to act “with or without” US support and would be “seeking to enjoy the moment” to attack strategic targets in Iran.

The revocation of the exemption on Iranian energy imports from Iraq represents another stage in the sanctions policy promoted by the United States. The impact of the measure on Iraqi energy security and regional relations will continue to be monitored by international analysts.

With information from Reuters and Washington Post