Iran can already enrich uranium to a near-weapons-grade 60%. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)
"The National Security Advisor urged the Iraqi government to work with the Kurdistan Regional Government to address remaining contract disputes and pay arrears owed to U.S. energy companies, and also requested that the Iraqi government retain an investment coordinator to work with U.S. companies seeking to invest and operate in Iraq," according to a readout of Waltz’s call with the prime minister.
IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER REJECTS NUCLEAR TALKS WITH US AFTER TRUMP'S OVERTURES
Trump first issued the sanctions waiver for Iraq when he began applying "maximum pressure" on Iran during his first administration.
The waiver only applied to electricity, where Iraqi reliance on Iran has precipitously fallen to just 4%. If the new move expanded to include gas used for power plants, however, it "would cause Iraq to lose more than 30% of its electricity energy," according to a spokesperson for Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity, Ahmad Moussa, who said the nation is searching for alternatives.
"There are two ways Iran can be handled - militarily, or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal…" - President Donald Trump
Former President Joe Biden continuously renewed the waiver until its expiration on Saturday.
The U.S. has significant leverage over Iraq – $100 billion of its reserves are held in the U.S., and Washington could wield that leverage amidst Iran’s increasingly firm grip over Iraqi leadership. The U.S. still has a military presence of about 2,500 personnel stationed in Iraq to help fight ISIS.
IRAN CAN MANUFACTURE 6 NUCLEAR WEAPONS WITH NEWLY ENRICHED URANIUM, UN ATOMIC AGENCY REPORT SAYS
National security advisor Michael Waltz informed the Iraqi prime minister of the end of the sanctions waiver over the weekend. (John Nacion/Getty Images)
According to nuclear experts, Iran is already enriching uranium to 60%, putting it mere days or weeks away from 90% weapons-grade supply.
On Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not negotiate with "bullying countries."
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Iran currently exports an average of 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, but under Trump's Feb. 6 executive order, the secretaries of State and Treasury are to work to "implement a campaign aimed at driving Iran’s oil exports to zero."
The U.S. is also working to end a sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port in Iran, where India has poured in $370 million to build a trading gateway to the Middle East.
Next, the U.S. could set its sights on China, which buys up 90% of Iran's oil outflow.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-admin-ends-waiver-allowing-iraq-buy-iranian-electricity-part-maximum-pressure-campaign