The US exempts Iraq from sanctions until Biden is inaugurated

North America, which has an undeclared battle with Iran over influence in Iraq, has accepted a four-month waiver.

The United States has granted Iraq a new exemption from sanctions that punish states and entities that trade with Iran, for a period of 45 days, shortly before the arrival of Democrat Joe Biden in the White House, he said. a Baghdad official. to AFP.

Iranian imports of gas and electricity represent a third of Iraqi consumption, whose infrastructure, decrepit for years, does not have the capacity or maintenance necessary to guarantee the energy independence of its 40 million inhabitants.

Since the resumption of sanctions against Tehran in late 2018, Washington has extended the deadlines granted to Baghdad to find other suppliers.

Just as Prime Minister Mustafa al Kazimi’s government came to power in May, the United States, which is waging an undeclared battle with Iran over influence in Iraq, agreed to a four-month sack.

In this case, the extension was 45 days because the Donald Trump administration “wanted one last chance to have a voice and a vote” in Iraq, this Baghdad official said.

Analysts and authorities in Iraq fear that Trump will make a last-minute decision before leaving power.

Several options are possible: attack Iran or its allies, close the embassy in Baghdad or approve a new package of sanctions against pro-Iranian leaders or institutions in Iraq.