US State Department officials said Sunday the US had extended a waiver or exclusion permit for Iraq to continue importing Iranian electricity, but this time it was valid for only 30 days.
The official added that Washington would review whether to extend the provisions again after a "credible government" was formed in Iraq.
"The minister briefly extended the waiver to allow time for a credible government to be formed," said the State Department official, referring to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, adding that the permit would expire on May 26.
Washington has repeatedly extended exceptions for Baghdad to use Iranian energy supplies that are important to its electricity grid, for 90 or 120 days.
The United States has insisted that Iraq, which is rich in oil and OPEC's second-biggest producer, must seek energy self-sufficiency as a condition to get an exception to import Iranian energy.
Earlier this month, the Iraqi president appointed intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi as acting prime minister, the third person appointed to lead Iraq in just 10 weeks, while trying to replace the government that fell last year after several months of deadly protests.
Source : VOA