The U.S. is reviewing all sanctions waivers providing economic relief to Iran and pressing Iraq to reduce its reliance on Iranian energy. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced this during a briefing, emphasizing the objective of achieving energy independence and isolating Iran from global economic activities.
The United States government is currently reassessing all sanctions waivers that offer Iran any form of economic relief, as stated by the U.S. State Department spokesperson on Thursday. This review aims to urge the Iraqi government to expedite its transition away from reliance on Iranian energy sources.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed this issue during her initial briefing under President Donald Trump’s administration. In response to inquiries about the sanctions waiver facilitating Iraq’s payments to Iran for electricity, she remarked, “We have nothing to announce with regard to the current electricity waiver that expires on the (March) eighth… We are reviewing all existing sanctions waivers that provide Iran any degree of economic or financial relief.”
Moreover, Bruce emphasized that the U.S. is encouraging Iraq to achieve energy independence, commending the Iraqi Prime Minister’s commitment to this objective. The U.S. strategy focuses on isolating Iran economically and curtailing its oil export revenue, which is essential for diminishing Iran’s capabilities in advancing its nuclear weapons program.
The U.S. has executed an extensive set of sanctions against Iran, particularly concerning its nuclear activities and support for militant groups, significantly restricting international trade with the country. Iran regards Iraq as a crucial partner essential for sustaining its economy amidst these rigorous sanctions, given Iraq’s pivotal role with both the U.S. and Iran.
In summary, the U.S. State Department is reviewing all sanctions waivers that provide economic relief to Iran. They are advocating for Iraq to reduce its dependence on Iranian energy, supporting Iraq’s efforts toward energy independence. The overarching goal remains to isolate Iran economically and undermine its revenue sources, particularly relating to its nuclear program. This aligns with the renewed focus of the U.S. administration on the maximum pressure campaign against Iran.
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