Iraq’s supply of gas from Iran has been halted, the electricity ministry said on Tuesday, adding that the stoppage was due to the shutdown of some generating units and load shedding at others.
The ministry reported that 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts of power have been lost from the electrical system due to the halt in Iranian gas supplies.
"The Iranian side sent a telegram informing the Ministry of Electricity of the complete cessation of gas supplies due to unforeseen circumstances," the statement added.
Iran supplies between a third and 40% of Iraq's gas and power needs.
Trump applies 'maximum pressure' on Iran
In March, US President Donald Trump's administration rescinded a waiver that had allowed Iraq, which struggles with chronic power shortages, to pay Iran for electricity. The move was part of Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran.
Earlier on Tuesday, a senior US State Department official confirmed to Walla that Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign will involve only diplomatic and economic measures, with no military action planned at this time.
“Iran’s destabilizing behavior threatens the national interests of the United States, and therefore President Trump has reinstated a policy of ‘maximum pressure,’ aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear threat, curbing its ballistic missile program, and blocking its support for terrorist organizations,” the official said.
In other words, the US administration is seeking to tighten the noose around Tehran through sanctions, international isolation, and diplomatic pressure rather than by opening a new military front that could drag the region into broader escalation.
Idan Kweller contributed to this report.