UPDATE 1-State Dept says all waivers providing Iran economic relief are under review
"We are urging the Iraqi government to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible, and welcome the Iraqi Prime Minister's commitment to achieve energy independence." The U.S. government has said it wants to isolate Iran from the global economy and eliminate its oil export revenues in order to slow Iran's development of a nuclear weapon.

The United States is reviewing all existing sanctions waivers that provide Iran any degree of economic relief, and urging the Iraqi government to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible, the U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Thursday. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce made the comments at her first briefing under President Donald Trump's administration when she was asked whether a sanctions waiver that allows Iraq to pay Iran for electricity would be renewed or not.
"We have nothing to announce with regard to the current electricity waiver that expires on the (March) eighth...We are reviewing all existing sanctions waivers that provide Iran any degree of economic or financial relief," she said. "We are urging the Iraqi government to eliminate its dependence on Iranian sources of energy as soon as possible, and welcome the Iraqi Prime Minister's commitment to achieve energy independence."
The U.S. government has said it wants to isolate Iran from the global economy and eliminate its oil export revenues in order to slow Iran's development of a nuclear weapon. Trump's restoration of the "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran was one of his first acts after returning to office in late January.
The U.S. has imposed a range of sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program and support for militant organizations, effectively banning countries that do business with Iran from doing business with the U.S. Iran views its neighbor and ally Iraq, a key partner to both the United States and Iran, as vital for keeping its economy afloat amidst sanctions.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
Iraq's Energy Struggle: Balancing Dependence on Iranian Gas with US Pressure
China to Host Strategic Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal
Emirati diplomat that Tehran said would carry a letter from US President Donald Trump meets with Iran's foreign minister, reports AP.
Soaring High: India's Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team's Dazzling Display
U.S.-Iran Nuclear Deal Negotiations: New Dynamics and Tensions