US energy secretary has visited Iraq to demand the country end its reliance on Iranian gas and electricity, and open its energy sector to US investment, as the Trump administration steps up pressure on Iran after quitting the nuclear deal.
Rick Perry accompanied the largest ever US trade delegation during a visit to Iraq. Iraq was granted a 45-day waiver when tough US sanctions on Iran’s energy sector were reimposed last month. During his trip, Mr Perry urged Iraq to end its reliance on Iranian gas and electricity.
He commented: “The time has come for Iraq to break its dependence on Iran.”
“Working together, the US and Iraq can develop Iraq’s oil, gas and water industries.”
The Iraqi Government is preparing to send a delegation to the US to request the waver is extended.
However, under US law the waver can’t be granted for more than 180 days.
During his visit Rick Perry met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and top Kurdish politicians.
Representatives from 50 US petroleum and security companies joined him to attend a two-day conference in Baghdad.
Mr Perry urged Iraqi authorities to lower investment in the country’s energy sector.
He commented: “Capital will come where it’s welcome”.
However, it is far from clear that Iraq can end its reliance on Iranian gas within the timeframe set-out by the US.
The US is attempting to reduce Iranian influence in Iraq, which has been high since the American invasion of 2003.