Export of Iran gas to Iraq to start soon: Iraqi minister

EghtesadOnline: Iraqi Minister of Electricity Qasim al-Fahadawi announced on Tuesday that the export of Iran’s gas to his country will start soon.

News ID: ۷۷۴۰۹۵

21 February 2017

Exclusively speaking to IRNA, al-Fahadawi said the process of the export is in its final phases.

He further appreciated good cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran, adding that unfortunately the cooperation has not reached the expected level as Iraq is suffering from a serious financial crisis which he described as the main obstacle to upgrade bilateral relations.

During the past years, Iran had been exporting 1,000 MW of power to Iraq, but Tehran did not continue because Baghdad could was not punctual for paying off its debt, the Iraqi minister noted.

The Iraqi officials, he went on to say, are making efforts to completely solve the problem.

According to reports, Iraq intends to meet its power plants’ fuel needs via gas imports from Iran to replace oil and gasoline with gas for its cost-effectiveness to the country.

In this regard, Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh visited Baghdad on Monday, Feb 20, to discuss the issue with Iraqi officials.