Iraq Says Direct U.S.-Kurdistan Oil Deals Violate Constitution

While the federal government of Iraq welcomes cooperation with U.S. energy firms, Baghdad noted on Friday that direct deals with the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region violate the Iraqi constitution and need to go through the federal authorities with federal approval. Earlier this week, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq formalized two major energy agreements with U.S. firms HKN Energy and WesternZagros in Washington, D.C. “These agreements lay a robust foundation for the strategic development of the Topkhana energy block…