Iraq is exploring alternatives to Iranian gas imports, including options in the Gulf, a government official said, as it seeks to reduce dependence on its sanctions-hit neighbour. "If we manage to set up a third unit we could hit 800 to 900 million cubic feet,

Iraq has no immediate alternatives to compensate for the energy imported from Iran, which will cause a significant problem in providing enough electricity to meet domestic consumption, especially in the summer,

Move to stop permitting Iraqi purchases of Iranian energy will tighten sanctions but stress a U.S. partner in the region.