Archive · 19 Sep 2025
Iraq's Turkmen Gas Deal Blocked by US Sanctions Concerns
Iraq wanted to buy gas from Turkmenistan, but it needed to go through Iran.
This plan would have helped Iraq with its power problems.
The United States said no to this plan.
The US is worried that helping Iran could be against the rules.
Iraq already gets gas from Iran and needs it for electricity.
Now, Iraq is looking for other ways to get gas, like buying it from Qatar and working with big oil companies to find its own gas.
This situation highlights Iraq's dependence on gas for power and the challenges it faces.
Iraq's plan to import gas from Turkmenistan via Iran was blocked by the United States.
The deal aimed to alleviate Iraq's chronic power shortages.
The US denied approval due to concerns about violating sanctions against Iran.
Iraq relies on gas imports from Iran for its power generation.
Iraq is exploring alternatives like importing LNG and increasing domestic gas production.
- Who
- Iraq, the United States, Iran, and Turkmenistan
- What
- The US blocked Iraq's plan to import Turkmen gas via Iran due to concerns over violating sanctions.
- When
- The deal was proposed in 2023, with the US denying approval in response to the ongoing campaign against Tehran.
- Where
- Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan, and the United States
- Why
- The US objected to the deal because it could potentially benefit Iran, violating existing sanctions.
- Proposed Deal
- Turkmen gas to Iraq via Iran
- Gas Volume
- 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually
- Iran's Role
- Transit country, receiving gas for its own use (max 23%)
- US Stance
- Opposed the deal due to sanctions concerns
- Iraq's Current Gas Source
- Gas and power imports from Iran
- Impact of Sanctions
- Loss of about 3,000 megawatts of power generation