The United States granted Iraq a 90-day waiver from sanctions to buy energy from Iran, a State Department official said on Wednesday,
“Iraq was granted a 90-day waiver to purchase energy imports from Iran,” the State Department official said on condition of anonymity, reported Reuters.
The latest extension allowing Baghdad to keep importing Iranian gas that is critical for Iraqi power production.
The last sanctions waiver for Iraq was granted by Washington on December 21.
The Trump administration reimposed sanctions on Iran’s energy exports in November, citing its nuclear program and meddling in the Middle East, but has granted waivers to several buyers to meet consumer energy needs.
Iraq relies heavily on Iranian gas to feed its power stations, importing roughly 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day via pipelines in the south and east.
