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Drugs, Militias form Explosive Mix on Iraq-Iran Border

By Shelly Kittleson for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Drugs, militias form explosive mix on Iraq-Iran border

Officers and judges who dare to go up against those controlling the drug trade along Iraq’s southeastern border with Iran continue to be targeted as attempts are made to crack down on corruption.

Click here to read the full article.

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Deep Data: GCC Electricity and Iraq’s Reliance on Iran

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Deep Data: GCC Electricity and Iraq’s Reliance on Iran

In connection with the recent Arab summit in Jeddah, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are forging ahead with efforts to connect their electricity grids.

The plan revolves around a new power line between the two neighbors with a capacity of 1 gigawatt (GW). Separately, Iraq and the Gulf Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) are advancing a scheme to power southern Iraq.

While Iraq has long been under pressure from the US and some Arab states to reduce reliance on energy imports from Iran, informed sources in Baghdad characterize the shifts underway as a win-win for all sides-pointing to burgeoning domestic demand in Iran, and the possibilities offered by a new regional electricity market.

The full report can be viewed here (registration required).

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Iran “Ready to Export Technical, Engineering Services to Iraq”

By John Lee.

The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has said that Iran is ready to export technical and engineering services to Iraq.

Addressing a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Iran-Iraq Oil Cooperation, Mohsen Khojastehmehr, said:

“Iran wants to benefit from Iraq’s participation in the development of the oil and gas industry …

“It is time for Iran and Iraq to take practical steps to cooperate in the field of oil and gas activities and the scientific, technological and educational sectors.“

The Iraqi delegation to the meeting was led by Deputy Minister of Oil, Bassem Mohammad Khedir,

(Source: Shana)

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PM announces new Ministry of Electricity and Alternative Energy

By John Lee.

The Iraqi Prime Minister has announced that the Ministry of Electricity is to be renamed the “Ministry of Electricity and Alternative Energy“.

At a press conference in Baghdad, Mustafa al-Kadhimi (pictured) said it is unreasonable to build gas power stations when there is not enough gas available, so the new ministry will actively seek alternative power sources.

In the past, he said, power stations were built, “in an absurd manner, without planning and without knowledge.”

He also referred to the country’s electrical interconnection projects with the Gulf states, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt, which will provide power until Iraq reaches self-sufficiency.

Addressing the annual shortage of electricity during the very hot summer season, he said that last year’s production of 21,000 MW will not be achieved this year, due to the reduction in gas supply from Iran.

(Source: Govt of Iraq)

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Iran Reduces Gas Supply to Iraq, as Iraq Misses Payment

By John Lee.

Iran has reduced its gas supply to Iraq by 5 million cubic meters per day, causing a reduction in electricity production, according to a statement on Wednesday from Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity.

The Iranian government had demanded payment of debts relating to gas supply, which AFP says totals $1.6 billion and dates from 2020, by the end of May. 

The Ministry blames the non-payment on the delay in approving the general budget, and “the search for an alternative solution to the Food Security Law.“

Iraq exported a record $11.436-billion worth of oil in May.

(Sources: Ministry of Electricity, AFP)

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Iranian Gas passed off as Iraqi Origin

By John Lee.

Media in Pakistan report that Iranian LPG has been illegally imported into the country under the guise of Iraqi product.

According to Business Recorder, the latest case is one of five ships which are allegedly involved in the illegal import of Iranian LPG using a falsified declaration of origin.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) has reportedly directed the authorities to take action against the carrier.

More here.

(Source: Business Recorder)

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Refinery Targeted in Rocket Attack

By John Lee.

A rocket attack that targeted an oil refinery in the Khabat area of Erbil on Sunday has been widely condemned.

Six rockets were fired at the Kawergosk refinery, which is owned by KAR Group, reportedly damaging a storage tank.

The Iraqi Security Media Cell said it located a launch base near the Al-Fadhiliah area of Bashiqa district, in the Nineveh Plain, where a further four missiles were rendered rendered harmless.

Shafaq quotes a source as saying that one person sustained minor injuries in the attack.

In March, the home of the CEO of KAR Group, Baz Karim Barzanji, was badly damaged in a rocket attack attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

(Sources: Iraqi Security Media Cell, Shafaq, Asharq al Awsat, NRT)

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Iraqi Working Group to coordinate with Iran on Gas Supply

By John Lee

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has ordered that a working team from the Ministry of Electricity travel to Iran to solve problems related to the supplying of gas.

At a meeting with the Electricity Ministry and senior officials on Sunday, there was discussion about the high electricity demand in summer, and how to remove obstacles relating to the production and distribution of electricity.

The meeting addressed plans to protect electric pylons from sabotage, and the status of the rehabilitation work on the Baghdad / Baiji 400KV line.

(Source: Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister)

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Iran Ready to Extend Gas Export Deal with Iraq

By John Lee.

The CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) has said Iran is ready to extend its gas export deal with Iraq.

Majid Chegeni, who is also the Deputy Minister of Petroleum for Gas Affairs, said:

“Our relationship with Iraq is strategic and apart from economic relations, we have deep cultural and religious relations that are very important. The more our cooperation, especially in the field of energy, the deeper and more objective these relations will be.”

(Source: NIGC)

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