US Grants Iraq Waiver For Purchasing Electricity From Iran - State Department

The United States has extended for 90 days its waiver which exempts Iraq from sanctions for buying electricity from Iran, a State Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2019) The United States has extended for 90 days its waiver which exempts Iraq from sanctions for buying electricity from Iran, a State Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"An additional 90-day waiver was granted to allow Iraq to continue to pay for electricity imports from Iran," the spokesperson said.

Washington is engaged in ongoing discussions with Baghdad on sanctions against Iran, the official added.

"We are also continuing to work with Iraq to end its dependence on Iranian natural gas and electricity and increase its energy independence," the official said.

The State Department official noted that diversifying energy exports away from Iran would strengthen the Iraqi economy.

The US granted its first such sanctions waiver for Iraq on December 21, 2018.