Dana Gas's Baghdad gas deal signals Iraq's slow break from Iran's energy grip

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    By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis The one-year agreement is modest in size but could reshape Iraq's gas market, strengthen the Kurdistan Region's strategic role, and gradually erode Tehran's decades-long energy leverage.  Dana Gas's one-year gas agreement with Baghdad could mark the beginning of Iraq's gradual shift away from dependence on Iranian gas while elevating the Kurdistan Region's strategic importance. For years, Iran has occupied an indispensable position in Iraq's energy sector. Every summer, when electricity demand surges, Iraqi officials have relied heavily on Iranian natural gas to keep power stations operating despite recurring supply disruptions, sanctions complications, and political tensions. That long-standing dependency may now be beginning to change. Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum have signed an agreement with Iraq's Ministry of Electricity to supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (100 MMscf/d) of n...
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Iraq Courts U.S. Investors as Prime Minister Al-Zaidi Pledges Stronger Economic Partnership in Washington


By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj 

At a high-profile U.S. Chamber of Commerce conference in Washington, Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi promoted Iraq as an emerging investment destination, emphasizing economic reforms, private-sector partnerships, and opportunities across key industries.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi reaffirmed Baghdad's commitment to strengthening economic ties with the United States on Friday, highlighting Iraq's transformation into an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment during a major business conference hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.


The event brought together senior executives from leading American companies, banking institutions, investment firms, financing organizations, and representatives from a wide range of industrial and technology sectors. The conference served as a platform to deepen commercial relations between Iraq and the United States while showcasing new investment opportunities generated by Baghdad's ongoing economic reform agenda.

In his opening remarks, Al-Zaidi stressed his government's commitment to sustained dialogue and cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, describing the organization as an influential institution in shaping business policy and promoting international economic partnerships.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met separately with the Chief Executive Officers of HKN Energy, GE Vernova, Vantive, Google, and Commercis PLC on the sidelines of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Conference in Washington, D.C.


The prime minister said Iraq is entering a new phase of economic development in which it seeks long-term strategic partners rather than traditional contractors or suppliers. He emphasized that the government aims to transform the country's abundant natural and mineral resources into productive investments capable of generating employment, supporting sustainable growth, and expanding economic prosperity.

Al-Zaidi also outlined the Iraqi government's efforts to improve the country's investment climate through institutional modernization, financial sector reforms, and banking system development designed to attract international capital.


Representatives from several major American companies welcomed Iraq's reform agenda during the conference, expressing optimism about expanding their presence in the Iraqi market. Business leaders pointed to the government's efforts to improve regulatory frameworks, modernize financial institutions, and create a more transparent and business-friendly investment environment.

The discussions reflected growing interest among U.S. investors in sectors including energy, infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, finance, and industrial development, areas viewed by Baghdad as central to diversifying Iraq's economy beyond its traditional dependence on oil revenues.


The conference comes as Iraq seeks to strengthen economic diplomacy with international partners while positioning itself as a regional destination for investment amid broader efforts to rebuild infrastructure, stimulate private-sector growth, and integrate more deeply into global markets.

For Washington, expanding commercial engagement with Iraq also aligns with broader strategic objectives of supporting economic stability, encouraging institutional reforms, and reinforcing long-term bilateral relations beyond security cooperation.


As Iraq continues implementing economic reforms, the success of these initiatives will likely depend on sustaining investor confidence, improving governance, and ensuring regulatory predictability. Friday's conference signals that both Baghdad and Washington see economic cooperation as an increasingly important pillar of their evolving relationship.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Affirms the Strength of the Economic Partnership with the United States
••••••••••
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi attended today, Friday, in Washington, D.C., a major business conference held in his honor by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The conference was attended by a large number of business leaders, representatives of U.S. companies, bankers, representatives of financing institutions and investment firms, and stakeholders from a wide range of industrial and technology sectors.
At the opening of the conference, Prime Minister Al-Zaidi delivered a speech in which he affirmed the government’s commitment to communication, dialogue, and cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, recognizing it as a leading forum for shaping economic policy and business decisions. He reaffirmed his commitment to presenting the significant investment and economic cooperation opportunities now available in Iraq across a wide range of sectors.
The Prime Minister explained that Iraq’s economy today is seeking partners in development and growth, not merely contractors or suppliers. He noted that the government is working to transform Iraq’s natural and mineral resources into employment opportunities that promote prosperity and support economic growth.

Following the Prime Minister’s remarks, a number of leading representatives of U.S. companies spoke of their aspiration to establish effective partnerships with Iraq in light of the government’s business-friendly economic approach, which has achieved tangible progress in institutional, financial, and banking reform while creating an open and conducive investment environment for global companies and investment at the highest levels.
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Discusses Expanding Oil Production and Export Capacity and Partnership in Refinery Development with ExxonMobil
••••••••••
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi held talks at ExxonMobil’s headquarters in Houston with the Chief Executive Officer, Darren Woods, and members of the Board of Directors of the leading energy technology company, joined by the Iraqi Minister of Oil, the Minister of Electricity, and a group of advisers.
Prime Minister Al-Zaidi highlighted the government’s determination to advance Iraq’s oil production and export sectors and enhance the country’s refining capacity. He invited ExxonMobil to contribute to these ambitious plans by accelerating implementation and strengthening long-term partnership and investment in Iraq.
The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to ending Iraq’s reliance on imported natural gas to operate power plants, stressing the importance of capturing all associated gas and ending environmentally harmful flaring. He noted that, in light of current economic challenges, Iraq is working to diversify value-added revenues and expand refining capacity through the addition of new refining units, in cooperation with ExxonMobil and its advanced technologies in the oil industry.
For his part, Mr. Woods presented an overview of ExxonMobil’s operations and capabilities in Iraq and the region, affirming that Iraq’s oil sector offers broad opportunities for investment while emphasizing the importance of meeting environmental standards and reducing pollution. He also expressed ExxonMobil’s desire to strengthen its close cooperation with Iraq.
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi Meets with Representatives of Leading Global Energy Companies in Houston
••••••••••
Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi met in Houston with representatives of leading global energy companies to discuss prospects for expanding cooperation and investment in the energy sector, as part of his official visit to the United States.
The meetings included representatives of Halliburton, Shell, Honeywell, Weatherford, and Baker Hughes, during which the participants discussed opportunities for cooperation in developing Iraq’s oil and natural gas sectors and benefiting from the advanced expertise and technologies these companies offer.
Prime Minister Al-Zaidi emphasized the importance of building long-term strategic partnerships with leading global energy companies, stressing that the Iraqi government is moving forward with creating an attractive investment environment and is prepared to provide all necessary facilities to ensure the success of companies’ operations and the implementation of their projects in Iraq.
The Prime Minister noted that the government attaches great importance to developing natural gas investment projects, increasing production, and strengthening industries associated with the energy sector, in a manner that supports the national economy.
For their part, the company representatives expressed their interest in expanding their operations in Iraq and their readiness to contribute to the implementation of major energy projects, particularly in the oil and natural gas sectors. They also affirmed their confidence in Iraq’s significant potential and the investment opportunities it offers.

#Iraq #UnitedStates #Investment #Economy #Business #Trade #Geopolitics #WashingtonDC #EconomicReform #KurdishPolicyAnalysis

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