Iraq's new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has opted for the policy of his predecessor, Haider al-Abadi, by committing himself to the US sanctions on Iran. A few hours after he was sworn in, Abdul Mahdi stated Oct. 26 that when it comes to said sanctions, priority will be given to Iraq’s interests and independence.

Nevertheless, Iraq is seemingly incapable of doing without Iran, given their close bilateral economic ties. For this reason only, Iraq demanded that the United States allow the country to continue to import vital Iranian gas and energy supplies and food products. Washington consented Nov. 2, provided that payments not be made in US dollars. Oil exports from the Kirkuk field, however, are excluded. Iraq's new Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban stressed that his country will “review” its current oil exports to Iran.

Sources at Iraq’s Oil Ministry indicated Oct. 26 that in the second half of November, Iraq will stop transporting its crude oil from the Kirkuk oilfields to Iran in conformity with the US sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, spokesman for the Oil Ministry Asim Jihad indicated that “complying with the sanctions imposed on Iran will be less detrimental for the Iraqi economy. This is following the rise in Iraq’s oil exports, which exceeded 3 million barrels per day from the southern ports of Basra province in October 2018 and made more than $8 million in revenues.”