US blocks Iraqi-Turkmen gas deal, worsening energy crisis in Baghdad

Iraq’s plan to bring in Turkmen gas through Iran fell apart due to US “maximum pressure” sanctions, increasing Baghdad’s reliance on shrinking Iranian supplies and forcing the country to search for other energy options. Although Iraq is the world's second-largest oil producer within OPEC, it has been unable to meet domestic power demand since the 2003 US-led invasion. Millions of Iraqis still rely on costly private generators, a strain that fuels social unrest.