Politics

Baghdad threatens to choke off KRG funding

Political tensions skyrocket after recently announced gas deals, resulting in legal challenges and threats to Kurdistan's budget.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (standing, center right) and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (standing, center left) oversee a ceremony in Baghdad on April 4, 2023, to sign a temporary deal for restarting northern oil exports. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Feb 13, 2025

Baghdad court ends Oil Ministry challenge to KRG oil contracts

Kurdistan's oil companies cemented a legal victory as the final avenue for appeal has closed.

Feb 3, 2025

Budget amendment takes Iraq one step toward northern export restart

Parliament passed an amendment to the national budget law designed to pay oil companies in Kurdistan and unlock pipeline exports to Turkey.

Jan 24, 2025

Rising budget controversy endangers northern export restart

A compromise measure to pay Kurdistan's oil contractors and unlock Iraq's northern oil export route has met major political opposition.

Jan 2, 2025

Iraq-Iran fuel oil barter deal pays down debt backlog

Iraq has been transferring large volumes of high-sulfur fuel oil to Iranian traders in a deal to help resolve energy import debts.

Dec 24, 2024

Iraq braces for change after Syria upheaval

Leaders across the political spectrum in Baghdad foresee new security threats, shifting political dynamics, and impacts on energy trade.

Dec 21, 2024

Baghdad court rejects Oil Ministry effort to invalidate KRG oil contracts

The Karkh Court of Appeals has denied an Oil Ministry appeal and reversed a series of 2022 rulings that declared several KRG oil contracts void.

Dec 10, 2024

Iraqi leaders anticipate renewed uncertainty from second Trump administration

The revival of a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran is likely to extend into Iraq, with implications for domestic politics, banking, and the oil sector.

Dec 10, 2024

Parliament goes into recess without passing KRG oil amendment

Budget legislation that could have helped restart Iraq’s northern crude exports is delayed until at least January.

Nov 8, 2024

Cabinet advances proposal for northern oil export restart

Iraq's main political factions appear to have an initial agreement for paying Kurdistan's oil companies for exports, but legislative, legal, and practical hurdles remain.

Oct 22, 2024

Abdulghani returns to ministry, but leadership questions linger

The oil minister is back at his desk after a health scare, but his multi-week absence surfaced unresolved political rivalries that could shake up oil sector leadership.