US Energy Secretary Rick Perry signaled on Tuesday an intention to step up US private sector investment in Iraq, following a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Thamer Ghadhban to discuss his country's sanctions against Iran.
Perry
spoke at a Baghdad hotel where he was attending a US chamber of commerce
event alongside Ghadhban.
The
United States has restored sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry as well as
its banking and transport industry.
Baghdad is seeking US approval to allow it to
import Iranian gas for its power stations.
Iraqi
officials say they need more time to find an alternative source than a 45-day
waiver granted to it by the United States.
"Sanctions
were mentioned in meetings this morning," Perry said without providing
details.
He
added that his attendance was sending a strong message of US commitment to
Iraq's economy and energy sector and that he recognized the challenges faced by
Iraq's government when it comes to rebuilding oil infrastructure destroyed
during the war against ISIS militants.
"This
is a different administration that will move with speed to develop an energy
sector that best serves the citizens of Iraq," Perry said of Prime
Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi's new government.
