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State Department says no announcement yet on Iraq waiver for Iranian gas; administration reviewing sanctions waivers
Summary
Tammy Bruce said the administration has no announcement yet about renewing the Iraq sanctions waiver that allows Iranian gas imports and that the government is reviewing existing waivers under a national security memorandum.
Tammy Bruce told reporters that the Iraqi waiver that allows Iranian gas imports expires on March 8 and that "we have at this point ... nothing to announce" regarding renewal of that waiver. She said the administration is reviewing all existing sanctions waivers that provide Iran any degree of economic or financial relief under the framework of National Security Presidential Memorandum Number 2.
"We are urging the Iraqi government to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible and welcome the Iraqi prime minister's commitment to achieve energy independence," Bruce said.
When asked specifically whether the waiver would be renewed for 120 days, Bruce said she had no announcement to make at the briefing and that decisions were under review. She also said the administration is reviewing all waivers that provide Iran economic relief.
Why it matters: The waiver affects Iraq's energy supply arrangements and has implications for U.S. sanctions policy toward Iran. Reporters sought clarity on whether the administration would extend the waiver; Bruce said no decision had been announced and pointed to a broader departmental review of waivers.
Bruce also said the secretary has been engaged with regional leaders on conflicts in Africa, including urging immediate ceasefires and support for processes led by Angola and Nairobi to resolve fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
