The story: As summer brings soaring temperatures, Iraq is again experiencing major power shortages with associated political turmoil. With daytime highs above 50 degrees Celsius, blackouts are particularly hitting the southern governorates of Basra, Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna. Despite the centrality of Iran in the current reporting on the crisis, the nature and extent of Tehran’s role remains unclear.

The Iranian dimension: Much has been written about Baghdad’s reliance on Iranian energy, with the US and some of its Arab partners in past years working towards eliminating it...