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Iraqi-Iranian Oil-for- Gas Agreement Goes into Effect

An Iraqi power station. (Social media)
An Iraqi power station. (Social media)
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Iraqi-Iranian Oil-for- Gas Agreement Goes into Effect

An Iraqi power station. (Social media)
An Iraqi power station. (Social media)

Iraq’s Electricity Ministry announced the return of energy production stability following the implementation of the Iraqi-Iranian agreement regarding the exchange of Iraqi crude oil for Iranian gas.

In a statement on Friday, the ministry confirmed that energy production has stabilized again at more than 24,000 megawatts after production was raised overnight.

The ministry said an increase in the flow of natural gas from Iran to Iraq’s southern region, which was agreed upon as part of a barter deal to exchange crude oil for natural gas, has helped in this regard.

Moreover, Iraq has other stations ready for operation, which can add more power to the electricity system if gas supplies are available, the ministry added.

The Iraqi government’s agreement with Iran was reportedly discussed months ago. Baghdad hesitated in implementing for fear of Washington’s rejection given its economic sanctions on Tehran.

With Iraq grappling with a severe heatwave and temperatures nearing 50°C in some cities, especially in southern regions, public frustration grew due to perceived empty government promises that are made every year.

This prompted Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to announce that an agreement had been reached with Iran.

Simultaneously with the signing of the agreement with Iran, Iraq also entered a massive deal worth over $27 billion with the French oil major TotalEnergies regarding energy, oil, and gas.

While the agreement with the French company was welcomed by Washington, the US Department of State affirmed its commitment to continue implementing all the sanctions imposed on Iran under President Joe Biden’s administration.

An anonymous spokesperson from the department stressed: “The fundamentals of our policy remain unchanged, which is that Iran can only access the revenues from Iraqi energy purchases for humanitarian and other non-sanctioned transactions.”

The spokesperson emphasized that the US firmly supports Iraq’s journey toward energy self-reliance and the government’s endeavors to enhance essential services for its people. They underscored that “any claim that US sanctions on Iran impede gas supplies to Iraq is false.”

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Syrians Rejoice during First Eid after Assad's Fall

Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
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Syrians Rejoice during First Eid after Assad's Fall

Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD

Eid al-Fitr in Syria was charged with newfound joy this year, as thousands freely celebrated the holiday for the first time after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

From the early morning hours, crowds of men, women and children flocked to pray at Damascus's historic Umayyad Mosque in the Old City.

"This is the first time we truly feel the joy of Eid, after getting rid of Assad's tyrannical regime," Fatima Othman told AFP.

Following prayer, worshippers exchanged Eid greetings while street vendors sold colorful balloons and toys to children posing for photos with their parents.

"Our celebration is doubled after Assad's fall," said Ghassan Youssef, a resident of the capital.

A few kilometers (miles) away, on the slopes of Mount Qasyun overlooking Damascus -- a site previously off-limits to Syrians until Assad was deposed on December 8 -- a few thousand people gathered at Unknown Soldier Square for an open-air prayer.

Among them were members of the security forces and the army, dressed in uniform and armed. The road leading to the square was packed, according to an AFP photographer.

Some worshippers distributed sweets to celebrate, while the three-star Syrian flag, adopted by the new authorities, waved in the air.

Under the previous government, access to the Unknown Soldier monument was typically restricted to Assad and his close associates, who would lay wreaths there during national ceremonies.

'Celebration of celebrations!'
The memorial, where a giant screen broadcast the Eid prayer, is near the presidential palace.

There, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa prayed alongside Syria's new mufti Osama al-Rifai and several cabinet ministers in the presence of a large crowd.

He later delivered a speech emphasizing the country faced "a long and arduous road to reconstruction but possesses all the resources needed to recover".

This came two days after the formation of a new government, which faces daunting challenges in a country devastated by 14 years of civil war.

Wael Hamamiya, who had been in Sweden since the early days of the conflict, returned to Damascus to celebrate Eid with his family.

"This is my first Eid here in nearly 15 years. I truly feel the celebration in its full meaning," he told AFP, beaming.

"Everyone who has come is over the moon. This is the celebration of celebrations!"

The occasion was more somber for some Syrians, who were able to visit the graves of loved ones that had been off-limits during Assad reign, especially in former opposition strongholds.

At al-Rawda Cafe in Damascus, 36-year-old Amer Hallaq chatted with friends after returning from exile in Berlin where he ended up after dodging compulsory military service in 2014.

"For years, I thought I'd never see my family again or celebrate Eid with them," Hallaq said.

"The joy of liberation and victory is immense, but there's still a lot of work ahead. This is only the beginning of the road."