Rep. McCaul: Halt in Oil Exports from Kurdistan Benefits Iran, Urges Biden Administration to Address Threat to Energy Security
In a recent statement, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, expressed his concern about the pause in oil exports from the Kurdistan region and its impact on the stability and energy security of the region. McCaul, who goes by the Twitter handle @RepMcCaul, also stated that the cessation of oil exports benefits the Iranian regime.
" I am deeply concerned Baghdad still isn't allowing resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan region. A pause in these exports is a win for the Iranian regime. The admin must apply pressure to address this threat to stability & energy security in the region," tweeted McCaul.
CHM @RepMcCaul: “I am deeply concerned Baghdad still isn’t allowing resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan region. A pause in these exports is a win for the Iranian regime. The admin must apply pressure to address this threat to stability & energy security in the region.”
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) April 26, 2023
The halt in oil exports from the Kurdistan region was imposed on March 25th through the Jihan port in Turkey following a ruling by the International Arbitration Court in Paris in a case between Turkey and Iraq.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi recently stated that oil exports from the Kurdistan region would resume soon after an agreement was reached between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government regarding oil exports and revenues. The agreement was signed on April 4th in the presence of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Prime Minister al-Kadhimi.
The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is an important position in the United States Congress responsible for overseeing foreign policy and international relations issues. The current Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is Gregory Meeks, a Democratic Representative from New York. Meeks took over the position from Michael McCaul, a Republican Representative from Texas, who served as Chairman from 2013 to 2021.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee is one of the oldest and most prestigious committees in the House of Representatives, responsible for shaping US foreign policy and overseeing the work of the State Department, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and other government agencies involved in foreign affairs. The Committee is also responsible for authorizing and overseeing US foreign aid, as well as conducting oversight of US foreign policy decisions and the administration's implementation of those policies.
The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee plays a crucial role in shaping US foreign policy and influencing the direction of US engagement with the world. The position is highly visible and influential, and the Chairman often plays a key role in shaping US foreign policy debates and influencing the direction of US foreign aid and diplomatic efforts around the world.
