BAGHDAD (Dispatches) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity revealed that it is in talks with the United States regarding gas supplies from Turkmenistan.
Iraqi officials were quoted as saying last month that the government has chosen to delay the gas import contract signed with Turkmenistan due to objections from the U.S. The agreement permits Iran to receive a quarter of the gas supplied across its borders. 
The spokesperson for the Iraqi Electricity Ministry, Ahmed Musa, told correspondents that gas imports from Turkmenistan are being discussed to reassure the U.S. that the supplies are to fulfill local needs until domestic gas production becomes sufficient.
Musa added that the step does not affect the sanctions imposed on Iran, given that the deal is with Turkmenistan.
Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 with Turkmenistan to import the necessary gas for its power plants, as stated by the Ministry of Electricity. 
The ministry noted that the initiative will require further negotiations concerning the transportation of gas through Iran.
Power plants in Iraq depend on gas imports from Iran, which cover one-third of the country’s energy needs.
The gas supply agreement with Turkmenistan aims to provide Iraq with an average of 20 million cubic meters per day.
The gas will be transported to Iraq via pipelines that connect Turkmenistan and Iran.
This approach has been hindered by the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI)’s inability to issue a letter of credit to allow Iraq to pay for gas imports due to U.S. sanctions on Iran.