TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Iranian officials struck a deal to transport more than 6,000 barrels of fuel oil to Iraq for its faltering electrical grid, the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran said.
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh signed the deal with Iranian officials during a visit to Tehran, Ambassador Mohammed al-Sheikh said.
The move follows a similar agreement between Iran and Turkey. Iran has moved to secure several foreign energy deals in the face of mounting economic sanctions over its controversial nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Electricity Minister Karim Wahid flew to Moscow to persuade Russian firms to invest in the Iraqi electrical infrastructure, Iraqi daily Azzaman said Wednesday.
Baghdad has laid out several plans to boost its electrical infrastructure while coping with a looming security issue that deters some foreign investment.
Wahid said he wants Moscow to invest in rehabilitation of several Russian power plants in Iraq and explore the possibility of new construction in that sector.
