BAGHDAD, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iraq's gas imports from Iran were completely halted on Wednesday, authorities said, the latest blow to the country's battered economy reeling from the impact of the Middle East war. The country has been unwillingly drawn into the conflict triggered by the US-Israel attack on its neighbour Iran on February 28. News of the gas stoppage came after Tehran denounced a US-Israeli strike on Iranian facilities exploiting the vast South Pars/North Dome gas field. Despite its abundant oil and gas reserves, Iraq's power plants are highly dependent on gas imported from Iran, which supplies about a third of the country's needs. A strike near Iraq's western border with Syria on Wednesday killed three fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the alliance said.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 18, 2026 18:23 UTC