Iraq receives sanctions waiver to pay $2.7bn toward Iranian energy bill
The United States has issued a sanctions waiver for Iraq to pay Iran nearly $3 billion, which reports said would go to pay debts for gas and electricity bought from Tehran. ‘I’m confirming the transfer,’ US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, 13 June.
‘They’re humanitarian and routine transactions consistent with longstanding U.S. law and practice, and we have continued to implement all of our Iran-related sanctions,’ he said.
Yahya Al-e Es’hagh, chairman of the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce, said Iraq will be releasing $2.7 billion in Iranian funds frozen in Iraqi banks.
Speaking on 10 June, he said part of the money had been allocated ‘for the provision of funds needed by Iranian Hajj pilgrims,’ performing the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. He said another portion will go toward paying for basic goods.
Iraq remains dependent on Iran for much of its gas needs and also buys electricity from its western neighbour. The United States has continued to routinely issue sanctions waivers in order that Baghdad can make the payments and Tehran does not cut off supplies.
Es’hagh said the released funds ‘can significantly help stabilise the currency market and provision of basic goods and commodities in the country,’ the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-june-13-2023/#post-454085-IRANIRAQ
