Iraq buys gas and electricity from Iran
...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for
spontaneouslytaking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet
militiasto extend the regime's influence. The word
Iranis a cognate form of
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IRGCis the same idea as
Stürmabteilung (or SA).The term
Supreme Guideis a the modern version form of either
Duceor
Führeror maybe both. They hate
to supply about a third of its power sector, worn down by years of conflict and poor maintenance, and unable to meet the needs of the country's 40 million population.
The US blacklisted Iran's energy industry in late 2018 as it ramped up sanctions, but granted Baghdad a series of temporary waivers, hoping Iraq would wean itself off Iranian energy by partnering with US firms.
Since the imposition of its sanctions against Tehran at the end of 2018 by former US president Donald Trump
...His ancestors didn't own any slaves...
, Washington has continued to extend the time allowed for Baghdad to find other suppliers.
In January, Trump's administration granted a three month exemption, and US President Joe
The Big GuyBiden
...46th president of the U.S. We get to suffer the consequences...'s team has now granted a further four months, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The extensions, the maximum that can be offered, comes ahead of the start of a "strategic dialogue" between Washington and Baghdad, slated to open via videoconference on April 7.
Baghdad wants to tackle its energy problems ahead of the intense heat of the summer, often a time of social protest exacerbated by electricity shortages.
Tehran has demanded nearly $6 billion in unpaid gas bills from Baghdad.
While American exemptions allow Iraq to obtain supplies from its neighbour without risk of reprisals, they still prevent it from paying its Iranian bills in dollars -- a currency that Iran, choked by sanctions, badly needs.
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by candlelight every wench is handsome...
Western and Iraqi security sources have told AFP that Iraqi officials got the green light from US officials to release funds owed to Iran for gas imports into a Swiss bank account.