Baghdad targets greater gas security

As US-Iranian tensions threaten energy imports, Iraq is ramping-up domestic gas development

Iraq continues to import large quantities of its neighbour Iran's gas, a rare exception to the White House's ever-tightening squeeze on Iran's international trade. Anathema to the White House both for the financial fillip to the Islamic Republic and for adding an economic dimension to Tehran's political positioning in Baghdad, the permission recognises Iraq's dependence on the gas lifeline to meet rising power generation requirements—reducing electricity shortages that have proven potential to spark public unrest.  Nonetheless, acquiescence is granted only under short-term waivers and accompanied by huge pressure on the Iraqi authorities to step up development of indigenous gas resources, wh