MNA – The Iraqi Oil Ministry said Sun. that the US sanctions imposed on Iran have direct impact on Iraq, expecting exemptions from the sanctions in relations with Iran.

According to the Iraqi al-Sumeria TV website, Ali Abdul Karim al-Mousawi, the Director General of the Iraqi Gas Company as part of the Ministry of Oil told Kuwaiti Al-Rai newspaper "Iraq is connected to Iran given the longest common borders, high trade volume between the two countries, as well as the electric power [that Iran supplies to Iraq] for the gas stations."

Al-Mousawi added that Iraq expects exemptions from the US sanctions in relations with Iran as its power and gas stations hugely rely on Iran’s gas and electricity and the sanctions will create huge problems for Iraqis if the Americans do not provide alternatives to Iraq. He noted that Iraq must pay for the imported gas and electricity in US dollar.

According to al-Sumeria TV website Iraq imports electricity from Iran through four lines, including the Karkh-Amara line, which was completed in the first half of 2011, in addition to three other lines that are currently operational.