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Iran’s Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian has rejected claims that Iraq would stop buying electricity from Iran next month when a current deal on the issue expires.
“… as long as they need Iran’s electricity we continue the exports.“ said Ardakanian on Monday. adding that the power delivery to Iraq will continue based on a section in the multi-purpose cooperation deal between the two countries which allows exports to continue as long as the Iraqis need Iran’s electricity.
Ardakanian said the duration of the three-year economic cooperation deal with Iraq would expire at the end of December. However. he insisted that the terms of the deal. including the export of electricity. have been enacted on a yearly basis and concurrent with the implementation of Iraq’s annual budget laws.
The minister also elaborated on a recent agreement between the two countries to synchronize their power grids. adding that the deal would facilitate the continued exports of electricity to Iraq.
Iran currently provides Iraq with more than a fourth of the electricity it needs while the Arab country relies on imports of natural gas from Iran to run several of its own power plants.
Iraq has secured rounds of sanctions waivers from the United States to keep importing energy from Iran as Washington continues to impose tough penalties on countries that engage in such trade with Tehran.
Ignoring massive pressure from Washington and its allies in the region. Iraq has refused to switch to other suppliers or reduce imports from Iran. saying the Iranian energy is key to sustaining the civilian and industrial infrastructure after years of war and militancy in the country.
