Iraq electricity minister meets US think tank in Washington to address power crisis

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Electricity Minister Ali Saad Ali Vaheb met with Atlantic Council Iraq Initiative Director Victoria Taylor and her delegation in Washington during an official visit alongside Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi, Iraq's electricity ministry said. The talks focused on long-standing power-sector problems, with both sides stressing the need for swift and practical solutions, an increase in generation capacity and upgrades to transmission and distribution networks. Vaheb said priorities include accelerating strategic projects and leveraging international partnerships and modern technology. The meeting also reviewed potential cooperation with U.S. research institutions and global companies. The talks come amid renewed public anger over power shortages. Protests broke out in Maysan and Muthanna in the evening hours over electricity outages, a recurring problem in Iraq where summer temperatures often reach 50 degrees Celsius and grid failures have persisted for years. No further details on planned steps were immediately available.