Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Visits Iran to Discuss Energy Files

The Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, Hayan Abdul-Ghani al-Zaydi, will depart for Iran tomorrow to discuss energy and agriculture files between the two countries.

Government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi announced that the visit is part of ongoing coordination with Tehran, without revealing details of potential agreements or the financial cost to Iraq.

This comes as Iraq suffers from a chronic energy crisis, despite possessing vast oil and gas resources.

The visit raises questions about how much Iraq will benefit from these meetings, especially given the country's reliance on importing gas and electricity from Iran, which costs the treasury billions of dollars annually without radical solutions to the crisis.

The government has not announced mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of any agreements that may be signed during the visit.

Background of the visit: Iran is Iraq's top trading partner in the energy sector, with Iraq relying on Iranian gas imports to operate local power plants.

Despite repeated calls to diversify energy sources, the government has not announced practical steps to reduce dependence on Iran.

Al-Awadi said the visit will also include discussions on agricultural files, without clarifying how these discussions will affect Iraqi farmers or local food security.