US extends waivers for Iraq to import gas, electricity from Iran
Tehran (KNA) - Washington has granted Iraq another 90-day waiver to allow it to keep importing gas and electricity from neighboring Iran, which is under tough US sanctions, two Iraqi government sources say.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the sources said on Saturday that the extension came following "long discussions" with Washington ahead of a looming deadline on a previous extension granted in March.
Another source, who also asked not to be named, said the extension was given during a phone call between Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The Associated Press and AFP have reported a 90-day waiver, but Reuters says the waiver has been extended for 120 days, citing an emailed statement by the US Department of State.
"An additional 120-day waiver was granted to allow Iraq to continue to pay for electricity imports from Iran," the statement read.
The State Department said the United States continued to insist on "diversifying energy imports away from Iran," however.
Source: PressTV