Apart from barter trade, Tehran and Baghdad are mulling the idea of using the Iraqi dinar for mutual transactions to reduce reliance on the US dollar amid banking problems Iran is facing due to US sanctions.
“Considering the problems that have emerged in dollar-based banking transactions, a joint proposal between Iran and Iraq is using Iraqs dinar in trade,” Iranian ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi said, as quoted by Irans Fars News Agency.
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The announcement comes two weeks after Washington brought into action the second round of anti-Iranian sanctions that target the countrys oil, shipping, and financial sectors. The previous batch of penalties, which came into effect in August, hit cars, carpets, metals trading, as well as access to the US dollar.
According to Masjedi, the current trade turnover between Iran and Iraq totals $12 billion and the countries plan to increase the figure up to $20 billion. The official said that Baghdad has recently been under strong pressure from the White House over its business dealings with Iran, its top trade partner.
Apart from energy resources, Iranian exports to Iraq include livestock, food items, plastic products, construction materials and vehicles.
“The Iraqis need Irans natural gas, electricity, food items and industrial materials,” Masjedi said. “If exports of these to Iraq are stopped, there will be problems not only for Iran but also for the Iraqis.”
Last week, Reuters reported that Baghdad had been looking for Washingtons approval to import Iranian gas and energy supplies in exchange for food items. Iraq, as well as some other of Irans partners, was granted a waiver from the US, allowing it to gradually reduce energy purchases from the Islamic Republic. However, Iraqi authorities say the exemption of only 45 days is not enough to stop importing Iranian gas and oil.
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