Baghdad: Iraqi newspapers issued today, Thursday, August 7, continue to highlight the country’s ongoing energy challenges, with a particular focus on the search for alternatives to Iranian gas amid mounting international pressure and Iraq’s obligations under current sanctions on Tehran.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zawraa newspaper, the official publication of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, featured a prominent interview with economic expert Safwan Qusay, who affirmed that Iraq possesses multiple options to reduce its reliance on Iranian gas but warned of the risks of violating international sanctions.
‘Iraq is committed to international resolutions prohibiting the purchase of oil, gas, and even electricity from Iran, which is currently under a set of financial sanctions that cannot be bypassed, at least not from a financial standpoint,’ Qusay stated. He added that unless Washington grants new exemptions to allow the continued purchase of energy needs, Iraq could face a series of economic sanctions for non-compliance.
Qusay explained that the Ministry of Electricity is moving toward securing alternatives within the local market, particularly through stopping the flaring of associated gas. He also pointed to various projects that have already been contracted in this regard, as well as efforts to strengthen electrical grid connections with Gulf countries, Turkey, and Jordan. He emphasized that investing in solar energy, supported by government initiatives and financing programs, could also play a significant role in bridging the electricity gap. In addition, leasing power generation ships is seen as a viable solution during peak demand seasons.
Qusay further noted that the Sudani government is eager to link gas pipelines from the southern provinces to the capital, Baghdad, to ensure continuous supply. In conclusion, he stressed the need to increase investments in the solar energy sector and allow the national electricity company to purchase this energy, enabling a buy-and-resell model that could stabilize the market.
Al-Zaman newspaper focused on the ongoing political controversy surrounding the draft Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law, currently under debate in the Iraqi Parliament. The paper quoted MP Hussein Mardan, from the State of Law Coalition, who attributed the delay in passing the law to political fragmentation and external pressure.
Mardan stated, ‘The failure of Parliament to pass the PMF law during the current legislative term, and its postponement to the next, would be a stain on the Council’s record.’ He went further, warning: ‘If the vote on the PMF law is delayed, we will reveal the names of MPs and political bloc leaders opposing the legislation.’ Mardan also accused the United States of pressuring political forces to block the law, urging a firm national stance to resolve the issue.
Al-Zaman further cited an informed source, who predicted that the law, originally scheduled for a vote in this legislative session, is likely to be postponed due to ongoing disputes among political blocs, especially within the Shiite camp. According to the unnamed source, the current draft of the law seeks to integrate the PMF as an official, structured component of Iraq’s armed forces, under a unified military command with rank-based hierarchy. However, this approach reportedly faces resistance from certain influential factions within the PMF.
The source added that political consensus remains elusive, suggesting that a deal based on mutual political gains and concessions might eventually be the only way to secure the law’s passage. Meanwhile, Al-Sabah newspaper, issued by the Iraqi Media Network, reported on the latest preparations and the large-scale mobilization in Karbala ahead of the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).
The newspaper stated that “the holy city of Karbala and its surrounding areas are witnessing extensive mobilization in anticipation of the millions expected to participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage, with large numbers of pilgrims expected from both inside and outside Iraq.” It added that, “in this context, service and security departments are racing to implement their designated plans to ensure the smooth flow of the pilgrimage and provide essential services to the visitors.”
According to the report, Minister of Interior Abdul Amir Al-Shammari chaired an expanded meeting in Karbala to discuss the mechanisms of the security plan’s implementation. He emphasized the need to intensify efforts to protect the pilgrims, issuing directives to separate pedestrian routes from vehicle traffic to reduce congestion and potential bottlenecks. The newspaper also quoted Karbala Governor Nassif Al-Khattabi, who stated that ‘the service plan for the pilgrimage will be carried out without road closures and will coincide with the announcement of a local holiday in the governorate starting August 10, to facilitate the movement of pilgrims and processions.