The officials interviewed are all senior members of Iraq’s government, including one who is close to the negotiations with the Americans. ADADWashington has responded to Iraq’s requests to initiate troop withdrawals with blunt refusal, even threatening primary sanctions that could cripple Iraq’s economy. The U.S. waiver enable Iraq to avoid penalties while paying Iran billions of dollars for energy imports. ADADWashington has used the threat of sanctions as leverage to push the Iraqi government to build up domestic power supplies and reduce dependence on Iran. The threat of sanctions had presented Iraqi officials with a difficult choice: end a vital source of electricity or be denied access to U.S. currency.

Source: Washington Post February 10, 2020 05:49 UTC