Iraq’s dependence on Iranian energy supplies is increasingly untenable as Tehran’s own rising requirements have resulted in exports frequently being halted. Major production shut-ins in Iraq this week exacerbated this issue.

Iran is no longer able to reliably supply gas and electricity to Iraq, and Baghdad’s efforts to secure alternative suppliers are increasingly critical for the country. On 22 January, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity announced that the grid had lost north of 7.5GW capacity as Iran largely shut off exports in a bid to meet its own soaring domestic requirements. (CONTINUED - 1139 WORDS)