Iraq Reports Complete Halt of Iranian Gas Supplies to Southern Region

Iraq confirmed a full suspension of Iranian gas supplies to its southern region, intensifying pressure on the country’s already fragile power infrastructure as it prepares for peak summer demand.

According to Ahmed Moussa, Iranian gas flows have been entirely cut off to southern Iraq, while only minimal volumes, estimated at around 5 million cubic meters, are reaching central areas. The disruption has forced authorities to rapidly shift toward alternative fuels, including diesel, to keep key power plants operational.

The crises highlights Iraq’s heavy dependence on Iran for energy imports, particularly natural gas used to fuel electricity generation. The supply halt comes amid broader regional instability affecting energy flows across the Middle East.

Despite the setback, officials insist that the national grid remains stable for now, with the Ministry of Electricity implementing contingency plans to maintain output levels. Coordination with the Ministry of Oil has enabled the diversion of diesel supplies to partially compensate for the lost gas, though capacity varies across provinces depending on the extent of disruption.

Critical facilities in Baghdad and Diyala are among those operating on limited alternative fuel supplies, as authorities prioritize strategic generation units.

Compounding the challenge is a sharp decline in domestic gas production, driven by reduced oil output and exports. National gas supply has reportedly dropped from around 1.1 billion standard cubic feet per day to just 400 million, significantly impacting power generation capacity.

Officials noted that relatively mild temperatures have helped contain electricity demand in recent weeks, buying time for emergency measures. However, concerns remain about the summer months, when consumption typically surges.

To address the crises structurally, Iraq is accelerating several strategic projects. These include the development of a gas import platform at Khor Al-Zubair Port, as well as expanding electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries to diversify supply sources.

Authorities expressed cautious optimism that Iranian gas flows may resume and that domestic production could recover, particularly as oil export operations gradually stabilize through alternative routes.