Al-Monitor | Bryant Harris: As Iran sanctions went into effect today following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear accord, Washington has agreed to grant Iraq a key exemption that would spare it from some of the most damaging effects.

Washington is allowing Baghdad to continue importing electricity from Iran, allowing Iraq to avoid further shortages that have helped fuel widespread protests throughout Basra in recent months.

“A waiver was granted to allow Iraq to continue to pay for electricity imports from Iran,” a State Department official told Al-Monitor. “We are confident this will help Iraq limit electricity shortages in the south. We continue to discuss our Iran-related sanctions with our partners in Iraq.”

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