Iraqis left without power after Iran 'entirely' halts gas exports

Iraqis faced a substantial drop in electricity hours on Tuesday after Iran halted gas exports to its neighbour.

The stoppage cut between 4,000 and 4,500 megawatts from the national power grid, according to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity.

"The Iranian side sent a telegram informing the Ministry of Electricity of the complete cessation of gas supplies due to unforeseen circumstances," it said in a statement.

Iran supplies between as much as 40 percent of Iraq's gas and power needs.

Ahmed Moussa, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity, said Iran's suspension forced several power generation units to shut down, with a direct impact on daily power supply hours.

"The pumping of Iranian gas has stopped entirely, resulting in the loss of 4,000 to 4,500 megawatts from the electrical system," he said.

Moussa added that the ministry had turned to local "alternative fuels in coordination with the Ministry of Oil to supply power plants.

"Production is under control, and the plants remain operational despite some being affected by the gas shortage."

Iraq's dependence on Iran for much of its energy needs has been a point of contention both domestically and internationally for many years.

'Production is under control and the plants remain operational'

- Ahmed Moussa, spokesperson, Ministry of Electricity

In March, US President Donald Trump's administration rescinded a waiver that had previously allowed Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, as part of an attempt to apply pressure on the Islamic Republic.

According to regional trade data, Iranian gas exports to Iraq fell by about 40 percent between April and August.

Iraq regularly suffers from energy blackouts, particularly during its swelteringly hot summers, a fact attributed to widespread corruption, crumbling infrastructure and a reliance on Iranian exports, which are often abruptly cut.