Abdul Mahdi arrived in Tehran on his first visit since taking office 4/6/19

Abdul Mahdi arrived in Tehran on his first visit since taking office

Saturday, 30 Rajab 1440 AH - 06 April 2019 AD

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Iranian president shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister at a press conference in Tehran (Reuters)
London: Middle East Online


Iranian President Hassan Rowhani on Saturday called for expanding gas and electricity deals between Iran and Iraq and increasing trade volume to 20 billion dollars despite the difficulties caused by US sanctions on Tehran.

 "Plans to export electricity, gas and perhaps oil are also continuing, and we are ready to expand these contacts not only for both countries, but also for other countries in the region," Rowhani said in remarks broadcast on state television after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

 In March, the United States granted Iraq an 90-day exemption from sanctions, allowing Baghdad to continue to buy energy from its neighbor.

 "We hope to achieve our plans to expand the volume of trade and increase it to 20 billion dollars in a few months or a few years," Rowhani said.

 Rohani expressed the hope that work would begin within the next few months to build a railway linking the two countries.

 The construction of the railway was part of an agreement concluded by Rohani during his visit to Baghdad in March.

 US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Iran's energy exports in November over its nuclear program and interference in regional affairs.  But he made an exception to several buyers of sanctions to meet their energy needs.
 Iraq relies heavily on Iranian gas to feed its power plants and imports about 1.5 billion cubic feet per day via pipelines in the south and east of the country.


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