Who really controls Kurdistan’s gas? The Dana Gas deal, the KRG’s silence and the hidden cost of selling energy to Iraq

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis      A $2.239 billion arbitration settlement, a contract running until 2049, expanded rights for Pearl Petroleum and a new battle over gas sales to Baghdad are raising uncomfortable questions about who ultimately controls Kurdistan’s most strategic natural resource. The latest dispute over Khor Mor gas is exposing a much deeper problem in the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector: the public still does not appear to have a clear picture of who controls the region’s gas, who is authorized to sell it, and how much of its future value has already been committed to private companies. At the center of the controversy is Pearl Petroleum, the consortium led by Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, and a settlement agreement reached with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on August 30, 2017. Kurdistan Parliament member Kawa Sheikh Ali has now sharply criticized that agreement, asking why a government would effectively commit its natural ...
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U.S. Declares Iran Mission “Nearly Over” — But War Goals Still Unfinished

 


    Washington signals imminent end to military campaign even as Iran retains strike capabilities and negotiations remain uncertain

Sulaimanyah, Iraq 28 March

Kurdish Policy Analysis— The United States is nearing the end of its military mission in Iran, officials say, signaling a potential shift from active conflict to a fragile diplomatic phase despite unresolved strategic objectives and ongoing regional tensions.

U.S. officials indicate that the campaign—launched amid escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities—has significantly degraded Tehran’s operational strength, including its missile, drone, and naval assets. However, Iran continues to maintain the ability to launch attacks and disrupt key shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the incomplete nature of the mission.

The move toward winding down operations comes as Washington intensifies efforts to secure a negotiated end to hostilities. Diplomatic channels, often indirect, remain active, with proposals reportedly including strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence. Tehran, however, has shown resistance to key U.S. demands and disputes the existence of formal talks.

Military officials have described the campaign—referred to in some briefings as “Operation Epic Fury”—as progressing faster than expected, pointing to extensive strikes on Iranian infrastructure and military targets. Yet analysts warn that critical objectives, such as eliminating Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and halting proxy activity across the region, remain unmet.

Despite the apparent drawdown, the broader conflict remains volatile. Iran has continued to threaten regional allies and maintain pressure on global energy flows, while U.S. troop deployments in the Middle East signal preparedness for further escalation if negotiations fail.

Experts note that Washington’s push to end the mission may reflect both military calculations and political pressures, including limited public support and concerns over a prolonged regional war. At the same time, uncertainty over a clear post-conflict strategy raises questions about whether the conflict is truly ending—or merely entering a new phase.

#USIran #MiddleEastCrisis #BreakingNews #Geopolitics #WarUpdate #IranConflict #GlobalTensions


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